Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report
Abstract Background The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) for severe adult respiratory failure is rapidly increasing worldwide. To date, no studies have documented early-onset superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis caused solely by ECMO cannula placement in adults without pr...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03851-2 |
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| author | Xiao Song Jian Wang Liang Zong Hui Jiang Di Shi Huadong Zhu |
| author_facet | Xiao Song Jian Wang Liang Zong Hui Jiang Di Shi Huadong Zhu |
| author_sort | Xiao Song |
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| description | Abstract Background The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) for severe adult respiratory failure is rapidly increasing worldwide. To date, no studies have documented early-onset superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis caused solely by ECMO cannula placement in adults without pre-existing anatomical abnormalities, leading to SVC syndrome. Case presentation We report the first case of SVC syndrome in an adult patient with pre-existing SVC angulation, exacerbated by cannula placement during VV ECMO therapy. Serial venous-phase chest CT scans (pre-ECMO and during ECMO support) demonstrated progressive luminal narrowing at the cannula tip site, correlating with clinical manifestations of SVC obstruction. The patient was successfully weaned from VV ECMO, achieved complete resolution of SVC syndrome symptoms, and was discharged without neurological sequelae. Conclusions This case provides definitive imaging evidence that ECMO cannula placement alone can induce acute SVC stenosis in patients with pre-existing vascular tortuosity. Our findings strongly advocate for pre-procedural vascular imaging assessment and real-time monitoring during ECMO support to mitigate this life-threatening complication. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1fcfcd7864874c9ebedc49ed6397a3f6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2466 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-1fcfcd7864874c9ebedc49ed6397a3f62025-08-20T03:42:37ZengBMCBMC Pulmonary Medicine1471-24662025-08-012511610.1186/s12890-025-03851-2Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case reportXiao Song0Jian Wang1Liang Zong2Hui Jiang3Di Shi4Huadong Zhu5Emergency Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeDepartment of Radiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeEmergency Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeEmergency Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeEmergency Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeEmergency Department, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeAbstract Background The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) for severe adult respiratory failure is rapidly increasing worldwide. To date, no studies have documented early-onset superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis caused solely by ECMO cannula placement in adults without pre-existing anatomical abnormalities, leading to SVC syndrome. Case presentation We report the first case of SVC syndrome in an adult patient with pre-existing SVC angulation, exacerbated by cannula placement during VV ECMO therapy. Serial venous-phase chest CT scans (pre-ECMO and during ECMO support) demonstrated progressive luminal narrowing at the cannula tip site, correlating with clinical manifestations of SVC obstruction. The patient was successfully weaned from VV ECMO, achieved complete resolution of SVC syndrome symptoms, and was discharged without neurological sequelae. Conclusions This case provides definitive imaging evidence that ECMO cannula placement alone can induce acute SVC stenosis in patients with pre-existing vascular tortuosity. Our findings strongly advocate for pre-procedural vascular imaging assessment and real-time monitoring during ECMO support to mitigate this life-threatening complication.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03851-2ECMOSuperior Vena Cava syndromeSuperior Vena Cava stenosisVascular angulationVascular complication |
| spellingShingle | Xiao Song Jian Wang Liang Zong Hui Jiang Di Shi Huadong Zhu Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report BMC Pulmonary Medicine ECMO Superior Vena Cava syndrome Superior Vena Cava stenosis Vascular angulation Vascular complication |
| title | Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report |
| title_full | Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report |
| title_short | Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre-existing stenosis in an adult patient: a case report |
| title_sort | venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheter related superior vena cava syndrome without pre existing stenosis in an adult patient a case report |
| topic | ECMO Superior Vena Cava syndrome Superior Vena Cava stenosis Vascular angulation Vascular complication |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03851-2 |
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