Echocardiographic Features of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

A case of cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with coronary sinus ostial atresia and persistent left superior vena cava

Coronary sinus ostial atresia is rare and usually not clinically relevant, but it should be noted in cases of cardiac resynchronization therapy. A rare case of successful left ventricular lead implantation for cardiac resynchronization therapy via the left superior vena cava in a patient with coronary sinus ostial atresia is reported. The persistent left superior vena cava associated with these cases tends to be smaller than usual in its diameter and difficult to identify, since the direction of venous drainage is reversed. Therefore, in the present case, it was useful to use a small-diameter, soft inner catheter as a guiding catheter to perform selective imaging and avoid vascular injury. In addition, it appeared to be important to plan the surgical strategy using prior imaging information, since it would be difficult to obtain the backup needed for lead insertion.

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Learning objective: Cardiac resynchronization therapy via the left superior vena cava with coronary sinus ostial atresia is generally possible without problems if prior imaging information is available, such as three-dimensional computed tomography and the venous phase of coronary angiography. It is important to determine whether there is a persistent left superior vena cava before the procedure. Thromboprophylaxis remains controversial in this situation.〉

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) with anomalous left hepatic vein drainage into the right atrium: role of imaging and clinical relevance

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a very rare and yet the most commonly described thoracic venous anomaly in medical literature. It has a 10-fold higher incidence with congenital heart disease. PLSVC often becomes apparent when an unknown PLSVC is incidentally discovered during central venous line placement, intracardiac electrode/pacemaker placement or cardiopulmonary bypass, where it may cause technical difficulties and life-threatening complications. PLSVC is also associated with disturbances of cardiac impulse formation and conduction including varying degrees of heart blocks, supraventricular arrhythmias and Wolff Parkinson White syndrome. We describe the case of an 86-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease and chronic atrial fibrillation who presented with worsening dyspnea and syncopal episodes. An ECG was consistent with complete heart block. During lead placement for the pacemaker, a left subclavian approach was unsuccessful. A left venogram was performed through the brachial vein that demonstrated a left superior vena cava. The diagnosis was confirmed with echocardiography using a bubble study and also a chest CT. The anatomy was unique as there was anomalous left hepatic vein drainage into the right atrium. The case provides insight into the diagnostic modalities and clinical considerations of this unusual thoracic venous anomaly.

Double lumen catheter placement during VV ECMO in an infant with persistent left superior vena cava-important considerations

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a salvage therapy in acute cardiac failure and/or severe respiratory failure. In this case report the importance of cannula positioning during veno-venous ECMO is exemplified. The use of echocardiography and its advantages compared to plain chest radiograph will be shown. This case reflects a 5-month-old boy who acquired a severe viral pneumonia leading to respiratory failure and ECMO treatment. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed via a dual lumen cannula correctly placed in the right atria according to a chest radiograph. During the first day of treatment the patient's arterial saturation was not satisfying. Assessment revealed that a part of the ECMO flow was recirculating. Echocardiography was used to optimize the cannula position, and thus, rapidly improving the patient's oxygenation. A persistent left superior vena cava and its effect on the central hemodynamics were also objectified. This case illustrates important considerations in daily ECMO treatment: the benefit of direct echocardiographic competence at all times during the day, the importance of understanding central blood flow dynamics, to adjust the cannula-position accordingly, and to address situations outside the ordinary with a physiologic approach.

Isolated persistent left-sided superior vena cava, giant coronary sinus, atrial tachycardia and heart failure in a child

Persistence of a left-sided superior vena cava (PLSVC) with absent right superior vena cava (isolated PLSVC) is a very rare venous malformation and commonly associated with congenital heart disease or alterations of the cardiac situs. We describe an unusual case of a young boy presenting with persistent atrial tachycardia and congestive heart failure. He was detected to have unexplained grossly dilated right atrium, right ventricle with systolic dysfunction and a giant coronary sinus (CS). The dilated CS closely mimicked a pseudo cor-triatriatum on echocardiography. Contrast echocardiography from both arms revealed opacification of the CS before the right atrium. Bilateral upper limb venography confirmed the presence of absent right SVC and isolated persistent left SVC draining into the giant coronary sinus.

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-sided superior vena cava: integrated noninvasive diagnosis

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare finding. We describe 5 patients with PLSVC diagnosed by a noninvasive approach, including two-dimensional (2D) echocardiogram, nuclear magnetic resonance and multislice computed tomography (MCT). In 4 cases the PLSVC was isolated ("alone PLSVC"), and in 1 case associated with a right superior vena cava.

Persistent left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus: report of 10 cases and literature review

BACKGROUND

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly.

HYPOTHESIS

This study examines the epidemiologic, clinical, and morphologic characteristics of a cohort of patients with PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus.

METHODS

We examined the clinical and morphologic characteristics of patients with PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus diagnosed at a single referral hospital for a defined population in northwestern Spain. We designed a prospective study of the case records of all patients diagnosed with PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus at the echocardiography laboratory of the Hospital Xeral-Calde from January 2001 through December 2002. Patients were included if they had a PLSVC diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) using an echo-contrast enhancement and confirmed by a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Ten patients (6 women) fulfilled the inclusion criteria described above. All patients were adults and had associated heart disease, including a congenital heart disease in three cases.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance imaging examination confirmed the presence of PLSVC and the site of drainage into the coronary sinus. Absence of the right superior vena cava was observed only in three patients, in whom the main coronary sinus size was significantly increased. Absence of the left brachiocephalic vein was diagnosed in five patients.

CONCLUSION

This study describes 10 new cases of PLSVC and supports the necessity of considering PLSVC draining into the coronary sinus in the diagnosis of patients presenting with dilated coronary sinus diagnosed by TTE. It also underlines the important role of MR imaging in the evaluation of these abnormalities. An associated heart disease must always be excluded in these patients.