Superior Venecaval Syndrome

By Dr Deepu
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Definition
History
Pathophysiology
Presentation and Findings
Causes
Diagnostic Workup
Management

Definition

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC). It is a medical emergency and most often manifests in patients with a malignant disease process within the thorax. A patient with SVCS requires immediate diagnostic evaluation and therapy.

History

William Hunter first described the syndrome in 1757 in a patient with syphilitic aortic aneurysm.

  In 1954, Schechter reviewed 274 well-documented cases of SVCS reported in the literature; 40% of them were due to syphilitic aneurysms or tuberculous mediastinitis.

Since the early reports, these infections have gradually decreased as the primary cause of SVC obstruction. Lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, is now the underlying process in approximately 70% of patients with SVCS. However, as many as 40% of cases are attributable to nonmalignant causes.

Pathophysiology

Hospitals Considering Adding More Copper Surfaces That Can Help Kill Bacteria

By Dr Deepu

The Washington Post (9/20, Sun) reported at least 15 hospitals across the country have installed, or are considering installing, copper components on surfaces like light switches and door handles that are easily contaminated with microbes because of copper’s ability to “kill or inactivate a variety of pathogens by interacting with oxygen and modifying oxygen molecules.” Lynch, medical director of infection control at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, said, “We’ve known for a long time that copper and other metals are effective in killing microbes, so it wasn’t a great leap to incorporate copper surfaces into hospitals.” The only published clinical trial showing how copper reduces infections in hospitals suggested copper surfaces reduced infection by 58 percent. The CDC is now seeking more research on the subject.

Energy-Efficient Homes May Lead To Higher UK Asthma Rates, Report Warns

By Dr Deepu

The Guardian (UK) (9/20) reported that “the number of Britons with asthma” may nearly “double by 2050 because the air inside homes is becoming more polluted as they become more energy-efficient, a new report warns.” The Guardian adds that “airborne pollutants created by cooking, cleaning and using aerosols such as hairsprays will increasingly stay indoors and affect people’s health as homes are made ever more leak-proof to help meet carbon reduction targets, a report by Professor Hazim Awbi” contends. The Daily Mail (UK) (9/21, Mailonline) also covers the story.

Pirfenidone May Extend Lives

By Dr Deepu

Bloomberg News (9/20, Bennett) reported that Roche Holding AG announced that Esbriet (pirfenidone)” reduces the risk of death by 38 percent after two years of treatment for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” according to clinical data to be presented at a medical conference in Amsterdam.

Study: Teens More Likely To Try Cigarettes If Their Parents Smoke

By Dr Deepu

HealthDay (9/19, Dallas) reported a study found that teens are three times likely to smoke at least one cigarettes if one of their parents are dependent are nicotine. The study, led by Denise Kandel, a professor at Columbia University Medical Center and the Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, found that among teens whose parents never smoked, 13 smoked at least one cigarette in their lifetime. In contrast, 38 percent of teens who had a parent that used nicotine said they smoked at least once. Teenage daughters of women who smoke were also four times as likely to be dependent on nicotine. Girls, however, did not appear to be more likely to become dependent if their father smoked. The study was published online Sept. 17 in the American Journal of Public Health.