Frequency of superior vena cava syndrome following radiofrequency modification of the sinus node and its management

For drug refractory patients, with inappropriate sinus tachycardia radiofrequency (RF) modification of the sinus node(1,2) has increasingly been used, and has replaced His bundle ablation and pacemaker implantation or subtotal right atrial exclusion.(3) In this report we describe the occurrence of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome as a late complication of this procedure, the possible contributing factors to its development, and its management.