Superior vena cava rupture during balloon angioplasty and stent placement to relieve superior vena cava syndrome: a case report

Percutaneous stenting of the superior vena cava (SVC) has been an accepted therapy for SVC syndrome for more than a decade. Complications are uncommon and usually of minor consequence. Three previous reports have described ruptures of the SVC during venoplasty with death on one occasion. We report a fourth case of SVC rupture during angioplasty and stenting that required immediate pericardiocentesis followed by open surgical repair via sternotomy for direct control and repair. An algorithm for rapid recognition and prompt intervention is described.