Endovascular stenting in the management of malignant superior vena cava obstruction: comparing safety, effectiveness, and outcomes between primary stenting and salvage stenting

To compare the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of primary stenting and salvage stenting for malignant superior vena cava obstruction. Case series with internal comparison. Regional hospital, Hong Kong. A total of 56 patients with malignant superior vena cava obstruction underwent 59 stentings from 1 May 1999 to 31 January 2014. Patients' characteristics, procedural details, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 56 patients, 33 had primary stenting before conventional therapy and 23 had salvage stenting after failure of conventional therapy. Statistical analyses were made by Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Primary lung carcinoma was the most common cause of malignant superior vena cava obstruction (primary stenting, 22 patients; salvage stenting, 16 patients; P=0.768), followed by metastatic lymphadenopathy. Most patients had superior vena cava obstruction only (primary stenting, 16 patients; salvage stenting, 15 patients; P=0.633), followed by additional right brachiocephalic vein involvement. Wallstents (Boston Scientific, Natick [MA], US) were used in all patients. Technical success was achieved in all but two patients, one in each group (P=1.000). Only one stent placement was required in most patients (primary stenting, 28 patients; salvage stenting, 20 patients; P=0.726). Procedure time was comparable in both groups (mean time: primary stenting, 89 minutes; salvage stenting, 84 minutes; P=0.526). Symptomatic relief was achieved in most patients (primary stenting, 32 patients; salvage stenting, 23 patients; P=0.639). In-stent restenosis and bleeding were the commonest complications (primary stenting, 6 and 1 patients, respectively; salvage stenting, 2 and 2 patients, respectively). Nine patients required further treatment for symptom recurrence (primary stenting, 6 patients; salvage stenting, 3 patients; P=0.725). Endovascular stenting is safe and effective for relieving malignant superior vena cava obstruction. No statistically significant differences in number of stents, success rates, procedure times, symptom relief rates, complication rates, and re-procedure rates were found between primary stenting and salvage stenting.