Percutaneous endovascular catheter aspiration thrombectomy of severe superior vena cava syndrome

We report a combined percutaneous endovascular approach, including thrombus aspiration and catheter directed local thrombolysis, followed by systemic thrombolytic therapy to treat severe superior vena cava syndrome in a 2 and 1/2 week old infant. This procedure was performed on the fifth postoperative day after major surgery. No treatment complications were observed. The only predisposing condition for thrombosis was a central venous line. No other acquired or genetic risk factors for thrombosis could be found.