Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in relation to left superior vena cava and coronary sinus

Abstract

Twenty-six cases are described of total or partial anomalous pulmonary venous return into a persisting left superior vena cava or into the persisting components thereof, namely, the “left vertical vein”, which forms part of the venous arc in the figure-of-eight pattern, and the coronary sinus. In many instances of incomplete persistence a ligament was found between the left vena cava and coronary sinus instead of a venous connection. Various patterns of the relationship of the completely or incompletely persistent left superior vena cava to anomalous pulmonary venous return were encountered, showing gradual transition from one to the other. Some clinical details are added, particularly in regard to the radiologic diagnosis.