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Case Reports
. 2013 Aug 16;1(5):159-61.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v1.i5.159.

Side matters: An intriguing case of persistent left superior vena-cava

Adeel M Siddiqui  1 , Long-Bao Cao, Assad Movahed
Affiliations
Case Reports

Side matters: An intriguing case of persistent left superior vena-cava

Adeel M Siddiqui et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

Persistent left superior vena cava, usually an incidental finding, is the most common thoracic vein anatomical variation draining into the coronary sinus. Central venous catheter procedures may be complicated secondary to the presence of a persistent left superior vena cava, leading to life-threatening complications such as arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest. We present a case of persistent superior vena cava diagnosed on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) in a patient with congestive heart failure. A dilated coronary sinus was identified on TTE, followed by injection of agitated saline into the left antecubital vein resulting in filling of the coronary sinus prior to the right atrium-an indication of persistent left superior vena-cava. This also was confirmed on cardiac computed tomography. Such a diagnosis is critical in patients who may undergo central venous catheter procedures such as our patient's potential requirement for an implantable cardiovertor defibrillator due to severe global left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The presence of a persistent left superior vena cava should always be suspected when the guidewire takes a left-sided downward course towards the right atrium at the level of the coronary sinus. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the imaging work-up prior to central venous catheter procedures.

Keywords: Central venous catheter; Coronary sinus; Left cardinal vein; Persistent superior vena-cava; Thoracic vein anomaly.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ultrasonography. A: Modified apical 4 chamber two-dimensional echocardiographic view showing dilated coronary sinus; B: Injection of agitated saline into the left antecubital vein results in filling of the coronary sinus first (star), followed by the filling of the right atrium. CS: Coronary sinus; LV: Left ventricle; RA: Right atrium; RV: Right ventricle.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The axial image of cardiac computed tomography angiography shows the persistent left superior vena cava (arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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