Management of Innominate Vein Rupture During Superior Vena Cava Angioplasty

Although vessel perforation rarely occurs during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a central venous stenosis, it can be a rapidly fatal complication when accompanied by pericardial tamponade. The present case report details our experience with this dangerous complication. It also highlights the risk factors for and the pathogenesis of central venous stenosis, the clinical findings associated with inadvertent vessel perforation during an intervention, and anesthetic management strategies for pericardial tamponade resulting from vessel perforation.