Where is superior vena cava

What causes SVCS? A tumor can grow into the superior vena cava and block it. What are the symptoms of SVCS? The most common symptoms of SVCS include: Swelling of your face, neck, upper body, and arms Trouble breathing or shortness of breath Coughing Call your health care team immediately if you have any of these symptoms.

Less common symptoms include: A hoarse voice, difficulty speaking, or trouble swallowing Chest pain Swollen veins in your chest and neck, or swollen arms Coughing up blood Faster breathing Skin that looks blue Problems with one side of your face.

These symptoms are rare. Call your health care team right away if you notice any of them. How is SVCS diagnosed? The following tests will help your doctor diagnose SVCS. X-rays of your chest or the vein. X-rays of a vein use dye to help the vein show up clearly. You might not need treatment right away if: Your symptoms are not causing any problems Your windpipe is not blocked Blood is flowing well through other veins in the chest Your chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer can also help treat SVCS.

Other treatments that can help include: Raising your head when you lie down Medications called corticosteroids, which can lower swelling and inflammation. Medications called diuretics, which help you urinate more to get rid of extra body fluid Treatment to break up a blood clot if there is one Getting a small tube put in the blocked vein to let blood through.

The tube is called a stent. Common symptoms of SVCS in children are similar to adult symptoms. They may include: Coughing A hoarse voice Trouble breathing Chest pain Talk with your health care team or your child's team about any symptoms you notice. Questions to ask the health care team You may want to ask your cancer care team the following questions. What is my or my child's risk of experiencing superior vena cava syndrome?

The superior vena cava begins behind the lower border of the first right costal cartilage and descends vertically behind the first and second intercostal spaces to drain into the right atrium at the superior cavoatrial junction at the level of the third costal cartilage. Its lower half is covered by the fibrous pericardium , which it pierces at the level of the second costal cartilage 1.

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According to the World Health Organization WHO , heart defects such as those which commonly occur at the same time as anomalies of the SVC are among the most common and severe birth defects. The superior vena cava is a vital structure in the human circulatory system that helps drain large amounts of deoxygenated blood from the head, eyes, neck, and upper limbs into the upper left chamber atrium of the heart.

The superior vena cave is a vessel with thin walls and low pressure, which makes it susceptible to conditions that increase the venous pressure. This is an important factor when it comes to conditions of the superior vena cava.

Anything that causes hypertension high blood pressure in the vessels of the right side of the heart—or the pulmonary circulation—can majorly impact the superior vena cava. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

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