Superior Vena Cava Rupture Complicated by Cardiac Tamponade

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a collection of clinical signs and symptoms that result from either extrinsic or intrinsic obstruction of blood flow through the SVC. Endovascular intervention has become the preferred method of treatment for rapid improvement of symptoms. Though effective, stent placement carries a small risk of SVC rupture and cardiac tamponade. Diagnosis and management must be swift to optimize patient outcome. The authors present a patient with SVC stenosis who underwent endovascular stenting complicated by severe hemodynamic instability and subsequent cardiac arrest. The patient provided written consent to the publication of this case report for educational purposes.