Atypical drainage of a persistent left vena cava superior into the left atrial appendage detected by multidimensional imaging: a case report and review of the literature

Background While it is the most common thoracic venous anomaly, a persistent left vena cava superior may present in atypical variations, which are important to consider during clinical management. Case presentation Here we report a 35-year-old Caucasian female patient with drainage into the left atrial appendage who presented with shortness of breath accompanied by mild hypoxemia. Venous contrast filling in the context of pulmonary scintigraphy suspected an additional superior caval vein connected to the left atrial appendage. Diagnosis was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. Cardiac catheterization revealed a minor right-to-left shunt. The symptoms could be allocated to a bronchial asthma and treated according to guidelines. Cerebral lesions detected in the patient were due to a coincident multiple sclerosis rather than cerebral embolisms. Thus, the venous anomaly was classified as an incidental finding currently requiring no treatment. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a persistent left vena cava superior draining into the left atrial appendage.

Single auricle associated with a superior left vena cava, an abnormality of the systemic venous return. A case report

Introduction : L’oreillette unique est une cardiopathie congénitale rare. Le traitement est la chirurgie. Son pronostic est bon après chirurgie. Le but de ce travail est de rapporter un cas d’oreillette unique. Observation : Nous rapportons l’observation d’une jeune femme âgée de 17 ans issue d’un mariage non consanguin sans antécédents, présentant depuis quelques mois une dyspnée d’aggravation progressive. L’examen physique avait révélé un souffle latérosternal de 5/6. La radiographie pulmonaire mettait en évidence une hyper vascularisation pulmonaire et un ICT à 0,60. Echocardiographie : oreillette unique, insuffisance tricuspide grade II, FE : 45 %, PAPS : 63 mm hg. Exploration per-opératoire : veine cave supérieure gauche se jetant dans un sinus coronaire dilaté de topographie anormale et oreillette unique par absence complète du septum interauriculaire. Elle a bénéficié de la fermeture de la communication inter auriculaire par un patch péricardique autologue sous circulation extracorporelle. Les suites post opératoires étaient simples. Conclusion : L’oreillette unique est une variété rare de communications inter-auriculaires caractérisée par l’absence du septum inter-auriculaire. Elle peut être isolée ou associée à d’autres cardiopathies congénitales.

Neurological Symptoms as a Showcase of the Inborn Anomaly in a Development of the Arterial and Venous Vessels (Case Report)

Inborn specific anomalies in the development of the cardio-vascular system require strong attention from physicians of many specialties, especially during diagnosing process. The results of all available diagnostic methods of patient examination determine the further treatment tactic. This tactic implying an individual approach to a specific pathology. There are some cases of combined defects of both, the arterial as well as the venous systems, which appealing special interest. This article describes case report of such anomalies in the structure of the vascular system. This case shown in the form of congenital inflection of the aortic arch with true coarctation and the persistent left vena cava superior.

Paradoxical Electrocardiographic Rhythm During Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Insertion from Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

Introduction: A persistent left superior vena cava is one of the most common thoracic vascular anomalies, present in approximately 0.5% of the general population. The most common presentation is both a right and left superior vena cava, communicating through an innominate vein. In rare cases, complete absence of a right sided superior vena cava may have dispersion of pacemaker and conduction tissue leading to abnormal electrocardiography readings. Case Description: This case report describes the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter via the right basilic vein utilising ultrasound and electrocardiographic guidance during which atypical P-waves were noted. Post procedure chest x-ray found the catheter to be positioned to the left side of the chest. Discussion and Evaluation: Initial management was to assess whether the catheter was placed in the arterial system. Catheter transduction and blood gas analysis demonstrated the peripherally inserted central catheter was situated in the venous system. Computer tomography was then used to assess the patient's vasculature, demonstrating a persistent left vena cava with absence of a right vena cava. Conclusion: This case describes the successful placement of a right basilic peripherally inserted central catheter in a patient with a persistent left vena cava with an absent right superior vena cave using ultrasound and electrocardiographic guidance.

Ultrasonographic features of the persistence of superior left vena cava and pathological cardiac associations in fetus. Case series.

The persistence of superior left vena cava (PLSVC) is a pathological condition in fetus with risk of association with abnormalities like heterotaxy, cardiac abnormalities – atrioventricular septum defect, and conotruncal anomalies. In this paper we report 23 cases of fetuses with PLSVCs, reviewing their diagnosis, co-morbidities, and evolution in the newborns.