Cases Of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Research Articles

Two Cases of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Placement via Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common variation of anomalous venous return to the heart and present in 0.1–0.5% of the general population. The left anterior cardinal veins typically obliterate during early cardiac development but failure of involution results in PLSVC. It is an asymptomatic congenital anomaly, usually discovered while performing interventions through the left subclavian vein or during cardiovascular imaging. PLSVC can be associated with cardiac arrhythmias and congenital heart disease. We present two cases of PLSVC: first, a 68-year-old male who presented with complete heart block, for which a temporary pacemaker was initially inserted followed by a permanent pacemaker; second, a 53-year-old female with a history of hypertension and ischemic cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25%, and a survivor of sudden cardiac death, who underwent an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for secondary prevention.Both cases of PLSVC were detected incidentally during the transvenous approach to the heart. PLSVC was suspected by the unusually left medial position of the lead, while cineflouroscopy showed the venous trajectory toward the coronary sinus and drainage into the right atrium. It is technically difficult to cross the wire through the tricuspid valve when coming from the PLSVC and coronary sinus without making a loop in the right atrium, which is known as a wide loop technique.PLSVC is an uncommon anomalous anatomical variant and should be recognized appropriately by specialists who frequently carry out procedures through the left subclavian vein, such as implantation of permanent pacemaker, ICD and cardiac resynchronization therapy. It should also be recognized that wide loop formation of the right ventricular lead in the right atrium is helpful to cross the tricuspid valve and to affix the lead in the right ventricle.LEARNING POINTSPersistent left superior vena cava is an anatomical variant that should be recognized by specialists who frequently carry procedures through the left subclavian vein (e.g. implantation of a permanent pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy).Maneuvers like wide loop formation of the right ventricular lead in the right atrium is helpful to cross the tricuspid valve and to affix the lead in the right ventricle.The cardiac imaging specialist should also suspect and rule out PLSVC on encountering a dilated coronary sinus on any imaging modality

Fetal persistent left superior vena cava in cases with and without chromosomal anomalies

The objectives of this study are to determine and compare the prevalence of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) in chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses and to evaluate the potential of PLSVC as a screening marker for chromosomal abnormalities. Women undergoing routine fetal sonographic examinations were evaluated once for the presence of PLSVC. PLSVC was diagnosed on the basis of the identification of an additional vessel in the left of the pulmonary artery in a three-vessel trachea view. Associated abnormalities, karyotypes, and outcomes were analyzed. A total of 164 (0.7%, 164/25 171) cases of PLSVC were detected and successfully followed-up. The detection rates were 0.5% (81/17 535) and 1.1% (83/7636) in the low-risk and high-risk cases, respectively. The incidence of PLSVC was lower among the chromosomally or clinically normal (0.4%, 110/24 914) compared with chromosomally abnormal fetuses (7.8%, 20/257, p < 0.001). Additional defects were identified in 90% (18/20) of the PLSVC fetuses with chromosomal anomalies, a rate that was higher than those fetuses with chromosomal normal (61.8%, 68/110). Persistent left superior vena cava is more common among chromosomally abnormal than normal fetuses, and PLSVC fetuses with other defects are more highly associated with chromosomal disorders than isolated PLSVC fetuses. Isolated PLSVC is a benign vascular anomaly and may not affect outcomes.

Persistent left superior vena cava: A possible contraindication to chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition in cancer patients

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly. Awareness of this condition may be useful when placement of left-side transvenous subclavian or internal jugular catheters is required. This anomaly may be detected only by chest radiograph following placement of the catheter. The primary endpoints of this study were to analyze the prevalence of PLSVC, measurement of its diameters and the outcome of cancer patients with this anomaly undergoing placement of a long term catheter for nutrition and chemotherapy at the Department of Surgery, of the Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. A total of 600 consecutive adult patients with hematological or solid tumors admitted to our surgery department for implantation of a central venous catheter (CVC) were considered. The CVC was routinely implanted in the left internal jugular vein under ultrasound guidance. Four cases of PLSVC (0.6% of patients) were observed and confirmed using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In all cases, the CVC was not removed. Three patients underwent chemotherapy and one patient was subjected to total parenteral nutrition. In the three patients undergoing chemotherapy, dynamic ECG and echocardiography were performed at the end of the treatment. No disturbances of the cardiac rhythm or thrombosis were detected, and heart ejection fraction (EF) was not affected. In conclusion, although PLSVC may be a risky condition, no complications occurred in our study. Thus, PLSVC should not be regarded as a strict contraindication to infusion of chemotherapy or hyperosmolar nutritional solutions. However, further research is needed to confirm our data.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Pediatric Patients

A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a congenital anomaly of the systemic venous system. This anomaly is often discovered as an incidental result during central venous catheterization passing through the left subclavian or the left internal jugular vein. We report two cases of PLSVC in pediatric patients.

ASDM Clinical Case Focus: Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: Diagnosis and Implications for the Interventional Nephrologist

AbstractAwareness and recognition of anatomic anomalies of the great vessels of the neck and chest are important for the interventional nephrologist, as central venous catheter placement is a common procedure. A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly (0.3–0.5% of the population), and can present difficulty during internal jugular or subclavian vein catheter insertion, as well as pose a diagnostic dilemma. In this report, two cases of PLSVC are described, and the clinical significance and diagnosis of PLSVC are reviewed.