ABSTRACT
A 45-year-old woman had a pacemaker implanted in 1994 and developed superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome in 1999. Despite medical treatment, she continued to have symptoms of facial and upper extremity edema, fatigue and sleep apnea. In September 2000, she developed a malfunctioning pacemaker lead, which required extraction and replacement. In view of severe symptoms of SVC syndrome and the need for pacemaker extraction and lead reimplantation, a decision was made to proceed with extraction of the lead system, angioplasty and stenting of the SVC, and reimplantation of the pacemaker lead.
