ABSTRACT
Various interventions are performed in the venous system. In general the intervention is performed to restore blood flow through a stenotic or occluded vein segment. Depending on the location, the chronicity, and the cause of the obstruction, thrombolysis, angioplasty, or stenting is performed. In contrast to the arterial system, vein closure is rarely performed. Exceptions are embolizations of insufficient gonadal veins or occlusion of varicose veins in the leg. Unfortunately the literature about venous intervention is scarce and reports about complications are even more infrequent and consist mostly of case reports or small series. The largest numbers are available in angioplasty of the venous anastomosis of hemodialysis grafts. A large series reported 14 (2%) ruptures in 683 procedures.1 The lack of reported adverse events could be interpreted to suggest that venous interventions are comparably safe. The goal of this chapter is to address complications specific to venous intervention and how to resolve them.
