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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
occluded upper thoracic veins
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
occluded upper thoracic veins
by Lyn2, Nov 07, 2003 12:00AM
Thank you for your time. I have a pacemaker, I take multiple meds. for arrythmia, including amiodarone, coumadin, cardizem, lasix, zaroxalyn, midodrine.
I have had a problem since the pacemaker where my head gets very full, especially when lying down, my veins in my head and neck protrude, my face gets very red, and I feel like my eyes are popping out. It is obvious to people that see me, including my doctors. Yesterday I went in for an angiogram to evaluate for superior vena cava syndrome as a result of pacemaker wires. Apparently, my superior vena cava looked okay, but the doctor said there were other smaller veins that were occluded. I am having a hard time remembering exactly what he said due to the sedation effects. I do know he said the subclavian. I also know he said that it was far more dangerous to fix this problem. I don't know whether to pursue this, or wait and hope it goes away. I have had it for a couple of years so somehow I don't think it will disappear. Is that even possible?
I am so tired of sleeping upright but I am not sure I want a major intervention. What kind of doctor would I pursue this with? A vascular surgeon?
Is it worth it? I thought the only obstruction that could cause facial edema was the superior vena cava. What other veins or arteries could it be?
One other question...what does primary T wave abnormality mean. I don't take the interpretation of the ecg machine seriously without confirmation from the doc. but the print out did say that with something about a wide QRS complex.
Thanks so much!
I have had a problem since the pacemaker where my head gets very full, especially when lying down, my veins in my head and neck protrude, my face gets very red, and I feel like my eyes are popping out. It is obvious to people that see me, including my doctors. Yesterday I went in for an angiogram to evaluate for superior vena cava syndrome as a result of pacemaker wires. Apparently, my superior vena cava looked okay, but the doctor said there were other smaller veins that were occluded. I am having a hard time remembering exactly what he said due to the sedation effects. I do know he said the subclavian. I also know he said that it was far more dangerous to fix this problem. I don't know whether to pursue this, or wait and hope it goes away. I have had it for a couple of years so somehow I don't think it will disappear. Is that even possible?
I am so tired of sleeping upright but I am not sure I want a major intervention. What kind of doctor would I pursue this with? A vascular surgeon?
Is it worth it? I thought the only obstruction that could cause facial edema was the superior vena cava. What other veins or arteries could it be?
One other question...what does primary T wave abnormality mean. I don't take the interpretation of the ecg machine seriously without confirmation from the doc. but the print out did say that with something about a wide QRS complex.
Thanks so much!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Nov 07, 2003 12:00AM
Cn,
All of the veins in the head and neck eventually drain into the superior vena cava. The major 2 branches are the internal jugular vein and the subclavian -- a subclavian occlusion should not cause facial edema, but an internal jugular occlusion could.
A vascular medicine specialist or hematologist would be a good place to start for treatment. Surgery would likely be a poor option. Potential options might include anticoagulation or removal of the pacemaker.
A primary T wave abnormality means an inverted T wave. This finding is non-specific, and can imply one of 20-30 diagnoses, or nothing at all.
All of the veins in the head and neck eventually drain into the superior vena cava. The major 2 branches are the internal jugular vein and the subclavian -- a subclavian occlusion should not cause facial edema, but an internal jugular occlusion could.
A vascular medicine specialist or hematologist would be a good place to start for treatment. Surgery would likely be a poor option. Potential options might include anticoagulation or removal of the pacemaker.
A primary T wave abnormality means an inverted T wave. This finding is non-specific, and can imply one of 20-30 diagnoses, or nothing at all.
