Congenital Anomaly Diagnosis of Typical Cardiac Chest Pain Due to Thebesian Veins Draining Into the Left Ventricular Chamber: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Thebesian veins are microfistulae that drain the coronary arteries directly into one or more chambers of the heart. Persistence of these anomalous connections into adulthood can lead to shunting of blood away from the myocardium causing typical chest pain symptoms with electrocardiogram changes consistent with ischemia. We describe a case of a 77-year-old female who underwent ischemic evaluation for her symptoms found to have significant Thebesian veins. We also engage in a comprehensive review of the literature finding consistencies in the way these cases are presented in the literature.

Prominent Thebesian Veins in Association With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Thebesian veins are microvascular connections from the coronary arterial supply directly into the heart chambers. While they play an important role in providing nourishment to the myocardium by maintaining adequate perfusion, they are also responsible for a physiologic right to left shunt in the body’s circulation. We present a case report of this rare anatomic finding of extensive Thebesian veins causing acute coronary syndrome and Takostubo cardiomyopathy.