Treatment of malignant inferior vena cava obstruction with Gianturco-Rosch-Z stents: a single center 13-year experience

Abstract Rationale and objectives Malignant obstruction of the IVC can cause severe morbidity and impairment of quality of life in end-stage oncology patients. However, medical literature regarding minimally-invasive palliation using large diameter percutaneous stents, particularly the Gianturco-Rosch-Z (GRZ) stent is limited. Materials & methods A retrospective review from January 2004 to February 2017, revealed 17 subjects with malignant obstruction of the IVC who were treated with a total of 34 GRZ stents. Pre- and post-stent pressure gradients were measured in 10. Available data regarding clinical presentation and follow-up were recorded. Results Technical success for stent deployment was 100%. A median of 2 stents (range 1 to 5) were deployed per patient, with median stent diameter 20 mm (range 15 to 30 mm). The median pre-treatment pressure gradient of 17.5 mmHg (range 9–31 mmHg) decreased to a median of 4.5 mmHg (range 0–21 mmHg, p  Conclusion Endovascular treatment of malignant IVC obstruction can be safely performed with GRZ stents. Although overall survival is poor, this technique can effectively palliate lower extremity edema symptoms.