Bilateral absence of the superior vena cava

Absent Superior Vena Cava: An Uncommon Cause of Anomalous Systemic Venous Return

We report a case of a one-year-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot, who was preoperatively diagnosed to have an associated systemic venous anomaly. Computed tomography confirmed the absent superior vena cava, and the case was managed with an appropriate cannulation strategy. Preoperative diagnosis and thorough planning of this rather benign anomaly were imperative for the successful outcome of this case. Clinical and surgical implications of this anomaly are discussed in this report.

An Ectopic Primary Pacemaker in Association with Isolated Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

We are reporting a case of a young Nepalese man, who was not known to have any past medical history, and who presented with palpitations. An electrocardiogram showed negative P-waves atrial rhythm in II, III, arteriovenous fistula, and V3-V6 with a variable block at 90-130 bpm. No positive "normal" P-waves were demonstrated in any tracing. He was found to have a congenital absence of the right superior vena cava (RSVC) along with persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) a condition also called isolated PLSVC (IPLSC). He underwent a treadmill stress test for further evaluation which showed a normal chronotropic response and the same persistent negative P-waves morphology. An invasive electroanatomical and activation mapping showed an absence of RSVC, the earliest atrial activation site in the anterior side of the inferior vena cava (IVC), and the absence of normal (positive) P-waves/normal sinus node (SN) activation. Considering all the available clinical data together, we believe that the patient was living with an ectopic pacemaker node that acts as a primary node and originated in the IVC/right atrium instead of the normal expected SN position. Given the high risk of complete sinoatrial nodal block in case of radiofrequency ablation, the patient was kept on medical treatment with a beta-blocker which was effective in controlling his symptoms and atrial arrhythmia.

Absent superior vena cava in tetralogy of fallot

Absent superior vena cava (SVC) is an asymptomatic congenital systemic venous anomaly which is rarely detected and compatible with normal life. Undiagnosed absent SVC may cause problems during cardiac catheterization or cardiac surgery. We present our surgical experience in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot who had undiagnosed absent SVC.

Congenital Absence of Superior Vena Cava with no Manifestation of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Total absence of superior vena cava (SVC) is a very rare anomaly, and the patient usually suffers from SVC syndrome or conduction disturbances. We report an asymptomatic 27 year-old male, with complete absence of SVC. Transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography demonstrated the absence of SVC and other congenital cardiac anomalies, but the presence of prominent collateral vessels that allow a sufficient venous return.