Congenital Anomalous Azygos Vein Drainage Causing Pulmonary Embolus in a 91-Year-Old Patient

Background: Retroaortic course and azygos continuation of aberrant left brachiocephalic vein is a rare venous anomaly, which is usually associated with congenital heart disease and pulmonary artery anomalies. Venous stasis is a cause of pulmonary arterial thromboembolism, which can result from venous anomalies. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 91-year-old female admitted to our hospital with shortness of breath diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and infarctions by a CT pulmonary angiogram. CT also showed aberrant left brachiocephalic vein with vascular webs at its retroaortic course and azygos continuation, suggesting chronic venous thrombosis, which was considered to be the suspected source of emboli. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report presenting this vascular anomaly manifesting with chronic venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Although rare, awareness and identification of this entity is important, especially in the absence of obvious embolic sources or in patients with recurrent embolus/consolidation.

A case report of an interrupted inferior vena cava and azygos continuation: implications for preoperative screening in minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Background Femoral cannulation is commonly used in minimally invasive cardiac surgery to establish extracorporeal circulation. We present a case with a finding that should be evaluated when screening candidates for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Case presentation A 57-year-old male patient was scheduled for minimally invasive repair of the mitral and tricuspid valve and a MAZE-procedure. During surgery there was difficulty advancing the venous cannula inserted in the right femoral vein. On transesophageal echocardiography a guidewire advanced from the femoral vein was observed entering the right atrium from the superior vena cava. Despite inserting a second venous cannula in the jugular vein, venous drainage was insufficient for minimal invasive surgery. The approach was converted to a median sternotomy with bicaval cannulation. Re-examination of the preoperative computed tomography scan showed an interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. Discussion In patients with major venous malformations such as the interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos continuation a full sternotomy is the preferred approach. The venous system should be evaluated when screening candidates for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with preoperative computed tomography. Additional cues to suspect interruption of the inferior vena cava are polysplenia and a broad superior mediastinal projection on the chest radiograph, mimicking a right paratracheal mass.

Atrial Septal Defect Closure via Left Subclavian Vein Approach in a Patient With Absent Inferior Vena Cava

Without the femoral venous approach, transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect is challenging. We performed percutaneous closure via the left subclavian vein in a patient with absence of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. Considering that inferior vena cava anomalies are not extremely rare among those with congenital heart disease, the left subclavian vein approach can be an alternative to the femoral approach.

Preliminary Experience With the New Amplatzer™ Trevisio™ Delivery System in Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closures in Children

Objectives: To evaluate safety, efficacy, and technical advantages of Amplatzer™ Trevisio™ intravascular delivery system (ATIDS) in percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children.Background: The Trevisio™ is a novel delivery system designed for accurate and facilitated implantation of Amplatzer™ devices. There are no published clinical reports so far.Methods: During September 2020, 9 children with anatomically challenging ASDs underwent attempted transcatheter closure using ATIDS to deliver Amplatzer™ Septal occluders (ASO). All interventions were performed under general anesthesia, trans-esophageal echocardiography (TOE), and fluoroscopic guidance. Standard safety, immediate, and 60-days outcomes were prospectively assessed.Results: The median age was 8.1 (5.1–16.9) years and the median bodyweight was 30 (18–63) kg. Six patients had isolated secundum-type ASDs with absent anterosuperior rims including one with an aneurysmal septum. Three patients had unclassical defects associated with complex congenital heart anomalies. Eight devices were delivered from the femoral vein and the jugular vein was accessed in one patient with interrupted inferior caval vein and azygos continuation. All implantations were successful. The shape, position, and orientation of the ASO were identical before and after release on TOE and fluoroscopy. There was no device embolization or serious complication following closure. Complete shunt closure was confirmed on follow-up.Conclusions: We report the first clinical experience with ATIDS in transcatheter ASD pediatric closures. Safety and efficacy were witnessed in our case-series. The major advantage of reduced-tension deployment and reliable precision in device positioning is highly beneficial in challenging anatomies and unusual access.

Azygos Continuation of the Inferior Vena Cava: Potential for Misdiagnosis as Lung Neoplasm

Background: The azygos venous system is an accessory venous pathway supplying an important collateral circulation between the superior and inferior vena cava (IVC). Case summary: We report a case of complicated community-acquired pneumonia with interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation that was misdiagnosed as lung neoplasm. Discussion: The aim of this case report is to emphasize the importance of recognizing an enlarged azygos vein at the confluence with the superior vena cava and in the retrocrural space to avoid misdiagnosis as a right-sided para-tracheal mass. The angiographic features and clinical importance of this condition are discussed.