Extracardiac Rerouting of Left Superior Vena Cava to Right Atrium

Abstract

Rerouting of persistent left superior vena cava is necessary in correction of certain congenital cardiac conditions. Techniques previously described involve either an "intracardiac" baffle or an "extracardiac" connection between the left superior vena cava and the right atrium or its appendage or the right superior vena cava. We present a modification of the extracardiac technique, utilizing flaps of right and left atrial appendages in construction of the extra-anatomic tube. Using this technique in 7 patients, we obtained a tension-free, oblique anastomosis with vascular tissue circumferentially and potentially preserving growth.