Two patients with subclavian vein thrombosis are presented in which a balloon venoplasty led to recanalization of the subclavian vein and complete remission of clinical symptoms. In patients with extreme symptoms and unsuccessful initial catheter-directed local thrombolysis, this non-operative approach can be considered despite known favourable spontaneous outcome of subclavian vein thrombosis.
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Heidelberg, Vossstrasse 2, Geb. 37, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany. uwe.muebue@t-online.de
