Diagnosis of levoatriocardinal vein in children by Doppler echocardiography

Abstract

Objective To review the imaging characteristics and evaluate the diagnostic value of echocardiography for levoatriocardinal vein(LACV) in children. Methods Doppler echocardiography was performed and these images were compared retrospectively in 9 children with LACV, which were diagnosed through the operation of cardial surgery and computed tomography angiography findings. Results LACV was characterized by an anomalous vein connected the left atrium to the left innominate vein. There was a normal connection of the pulmonary vein with the left atrium. The associated malformations included mitral valve stenosis and mitral atresia (8 cases), single ventricle(3 cases), double outlet right ventricle (2 cases), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (2 cases), atrial septal defect with restrictive shunt (1 case), and patent foramen ovale (1 case). Six of 9 cases(66.7%) were diagnosed correctly using Doppler echocardiography, in the remaining 3 cases (33.3%), 1 case was miss diagnosed, 1 case misdiagnosed as persistent left superior vena cava, and 1 case misdiagnosed as partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Conclusions LACV can be diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography. This malformation should be differentiated from persistent left superior vena cava, and anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Key words: Echocardiography, Doppler; Levoatriocardinal vein; Child