Endovascular Downstaging: A New Method for Managing Renal Cell Carcinoma Tumor Thrombus Invading the Inferior Vena Cava Above the Hepatic Veins (Level III) or into the Heart (Level IV)

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma tends to invade venous structures, frequently extending beyond the inferior vena cava and into the heart itself, such as into the right atrium or right ventricle. Resection of tumor burden, particularly tumor thrombus, often requires cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), which is not feasible for all patients. METHODS: Described in this study is a novel, minimally invasive endovascular approach involving endovascular thrombectomy as a viable approach in these select patients. RESULTS: There were no surgical complications, shorter operating times, less blood loss and an average length of stay of 5.5 days in the four patients undergoing this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that this technique can eliminate the need for cardiac bypass and deep hypothermic cardiac arrest and its associated risks, thereby making surgery safer and more accessible for patients with advanced kidney cancers with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. Furthermore, it allows for this life-saving surgery to be carried out in medical centers or hospitals where cardiac surgery is unavailable, or when cardiopulmonary bypass is medically contraindicated.