Superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome is an emergency condition associated with circulatory disorders in the superior vena cava. Superior vena cava syndrome is the most common term used to designate this pathology. The first description of this syndrome was made by W. Hunter in 1758, when obstruction of the superior vena cava was first noted in a patient with a syphilitic aortic aneurysm. This etiology remained the leading cause of the syndrome until the mid-20th century. Subsequently, oncological diseases ranked first among the causes of the syndrome. Recently, the increase in the incidence of the condition is associated with an increase in the incidence of lung cancer, which is the main cause of superior vena cava syndrome.