Isolated persistent left superior vena cava: A case report and its clinical implications

Ischemic Heart Disease with In-Stent Re-Stenosis with Complete Heart Block and Isolated Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava - Rare Case Report with Challenges and Clinical Implications

ABSTRACT

Isolated persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a very rare congenital thoracic venous system anomaly and is commonly an incidental finding, usually detected during central venous access, cardiac catheterization, or cardiothoracic surgeries. This is a rare case report wherein the patient is a known case of ischemic heart disease with s/p percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with a stent to left anterior descending (LAD) artery with in-stent re-stenosis presented with complete heart block and had an unanticipated discovery of isolated PLSVC on facing difficulty during the transvenous approach of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). In this case report, we inspect the challenges associated with and various clinical implications of isolated PLSVC.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava with the Absence of the Right Superior Vena Cava and Atrial Appendage: Complex Pacemaker Implantation in a Patient Presenting with a Rare Vascular Anomaly

A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a commonly observed anatomical anomaly that is frequently detected incidentally via computed tomography (CT) imaging. However, the occurrence of a PLSVC with a right superior vena cava (RSVC) defect, also known as "isolated PLSVC," is a much rarer anomaly. This peculiar malformation can lead to sinoatrial dysfunction, thus necessitating pacemaker implantation, which requires delicate manipulation due to various anatomical complexities. We herein present a case of a sick sinus syndrome with this rare anomaly, which required special consideration when performing pacemaker lead placement.

Donor heart selection: Evidence-based guidelines for providers

The proposed donor heart selection guidelines provide evidence-based and expert-consensus recommendations for the selection of donor hearts following brain death. These recommendations were compiled by an international panel of experts based on an extensive literature review.

Giant Rasmussen's aneurysm in a 9-year-old boy: A case report

Rasmussen's aneurysm is a pseudoaneurysm caused by tuberculosis, when cavitation occurs adjacent to a pulmonary artery, which can be lethal. It is a rare complication usually affecting adults. This is a case of an 9-year-old boy initially admitted for pneumonia that developed hemoptysis during admission. Chest X-ray done after this episode showed development of a left hilar mass not present in the previous studies. A chest CT with contrast subsequently revealed a saccular aneurysm arising from the left lower lobe pulmonary artery adjacent to a cavity, a Rasmussen's aneurysm. The patient was treated conservatively with continuation of anti-TB medication and serial monitoring due to the size of the aneurysm being less than 6 cm and spontaneous resolution of the hemoptysis. This report stresses that a Rasmussen's aneurysm should always be in the differential diagnosis of a hilar mass in a patient with hemoptysis, regardless of the patient's age.

Absent right superior vena cava

A patient planned to be performed catheter ablation. However, three-dimensional contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography revealed isolated persistent left superior vena cava. We should know such an anatomical abnormality especially when central venous catheter or peripherally inserted central catheter is inserted from right jugular vein or right subclavian vein.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: A Rare Association

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most frequent abnormality in the general population with the frequency of 0.1% to 0.5%. It results from the failure of the involution of the left anterior cardinal vein. Right and Left SVC can coexist together in 80% to 90% of cases. Association of PLSVC with ano rectal malformation (ARM) is very rarely reported. Hence, here is a report of a unique case of PLSVC in a female neonate with ARM.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava—When a Left-Sided Central Line Does Not Make the Turn: A Case Report

A 59-year-old male presenting for a living nonrelated kidney transplant has an intraoperative left internal jugular central venous catheter placed for operative access and monitoring. Post-anesthesia care unit postoperative chest X-ray shows possible aortic placement as read by radiology. The catheter is confirmed venous on insertion, with monitoring during the operation, and with repeat transduction and venous blood gas results postoperatively. A follow-up computed tomography scan shows findings consistent with persistent left superior vena cava. This can be associated with other cardiac abnormalities and an increased risk of complications, both mechanical and physiological. Care should be taken in patients identified with persistent left superior vena cava to prevent complications in future procedures.

Developmental anomalies of the superior vena cava and its tributaries: What the radiologist needs to know?

Deviations from the normal process of embryogenesis can result in various developmental anomalies of the superior vena cava (SVC). While these anomalies are often asymptomatic, they assume clinical importance during interventions such as central venous catheterisations and pacemaker implantations and during cardiothoracic surgeries while instituting cardiopulmonary bypass and for creation of cavo-pulmonary connections. Role of imaging in identifying these anomalies is indispensable. Cross-sectional imaging techniques like CT venography and magnetic resonance (MR) venography allow direct visualisation and consequently increased detection of anomalies. CT venography plays an important role in detection of SVC anomalies as it is readily available, has excellent spatial resolution, short acquisition times and potential for reconstruction of images in multiple planes. This pictorial review focuses on the developmental anomalies of the SVC and its tributaries highlighting their embryological basis, imaging appearances on CT venography and potential clinical implications, where relevant.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Identified After Hemodialysis Catheter Insertion: A Case Report

Introduction

Central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is the most commonly performed clinical procedure when a patient initiates hemodialysis. Despite its clinical benefits, CVC insertion has several risks of complications. Thrombosis, venous stenosis, infection, arrhythmia, pneumothorax, and bleeding are among these complications. Malposition of the tip of the CVC can also occur with an incidence of up to 7%. One of several factors that could contribute to malposition is venous anatomy variation. Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is an extremely rare venous anatomical disorder but might have a significant clinical impact.

Case Presentation

Here we report a PLSVC case that was identified in chest radiography after the insertion of a CVC catheter in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A 40-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity was presented in the emergency room with dyspnea for 1 week. Acute hemodialysis was required because of the ESRD and pulmonary edema. The PLSVC condition accompanied by various complications that occurred in this patient became a dilemma for the nephrologist in determining the diagnosis and proper CVC management.

Discussion

PLSVC is the most common congenital abnormality of the vena cava, even though it has a very small incidence. PLSVC occurs in about 0.1–0.5% of the total population and reaches 10% in individuals with congenital heart abnormalities. Most PLSVC presents along with normal superior vena cava and drains into the right atrium, which makes it very difficult to see the clinical signs and symptoms. Almost all PLSVC conditions are found incidentally during or after invasive procedures such as CVC insertion. CVC insertion in the PLSVC condition needs proper management to minimize the risk of complications.

Conclusion

This case shows the importance of understanding the PLSVC condition, which, although very rare, is expected to increase the awareness of the nephrologist in making the diagnosis, determining appropriate management, and preventing complications, thereby improving patient safety.

Persistent left superior vena cava with absent right superior vena cava in adults: CT and clinical findings

PURPOSE

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) with absent right superior vena cava (ARSVC) is rare. We evaluated CT and clinical findings of adults with ARSVC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study included 11 adults with ARSVC (mean age, 63 ± 17 years). We evaluated CT findings of the azygos vein system and coronary sinus (CS) using thin slice data of > 64 MDCT. Arrhythmia and congenial heart disease were assessed. We compared the CS diameters between the ARSVC group and the control group of 120 adults with normal vena cava (mean age, 60 ± 4 years).

RESULTS

Adults with ARSVC had no azygos vein arch and the hemiazygos vein continued to PLSVCs via the superior intercostal vein. Eight adults had arrhythmia including conduction disturbance and one arrhythmia was associated with atrial septal defect. All adults with ARSVC had dilated CS larger than 11 mm. The mean diameter of the CS in the ARSVC group was 18.4 mm, and that of the control group was 6.8 mm. CS diameter in the ARSVC group was larger than that in the control group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Adults with ARSVC had dilated CS and no azygos vein arch. Four adults had conduction disturbance.

Gradual diagnosis and clinical importance of prenatally detected persistent left superior vena cava with absent right superior vena cava - a case report and literature review

Persistent left superior vena cava is a malformation of cardinal veins. We report a case of a secundigravida who had many fetal ultrasound examinations – first performed by an obstetrician (who described fetal mediastinum as “abnormal”), second by other obstetrician, who performed basic fetal echocardiographic examination and diagnosed persistent left superior vena cava. The woman was referred to a tertiary center for detailed fetal echocardiography. The diagnosis of persistent left superior vena cava with agenesis of the right superior vena cava was confirmed. The anomaly had no influence on fetal hemodynamic stability, fetal life, delivery and early postnatal period. After delivery, the neonate was under observation for further anomalies, aortic coarctation in particular. Prenatal and postnatal management was summarized. Literature review is presented.

Heart Transplant in Patient With Isolated Left Superior Vena Cava by Atrial Appendage Rotation

Orthotopic heart transplantation in patients with an isolated persistent left superior vena cava is extremely rare, and the anastomotic connection between a right-sided donor superior vena cava and left-sided recipient superior vena cava can be challenging to perform. We present a novel technique used in an infant female, using the left atrial appendage to extend the superior vena cava anastomosis.

Reversible Stress Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Acute cerebral incidents have been correlated with cardiac manifestations. Specifically, subarachnoid hemorrhage has been correlated with a syndrome described as neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy and mimics acute coronary syndrome.

CASE REPORT

A 55-year-old woman presented at the Emergency Department of our hospital complaining of vomiting and headache of sudden onset. Computed tomography angiography revealed a ruptured aneurysm at the tip of the basilar artery and the patient underwent a successful complete embolism of the sac of the aneurysm. During hospitalization, the patient developed electrocardiographic alterations and elevation of cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiography showed an impairment of left ventricular systolic function. The patient was diagnosed with neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy and she was treated conservatively. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Clinicians should be aware of neurogenic stress cardiomyopathy because early diagnosis and treatment are the cornerstones for achieving a better outcome.

Incidental finding of persistent left superior vena cava after 'bubble study' verification of central venous catheter

We report a case of a patient with septic shock who underwent central venous catheter placement in the left internal jugular vein, and a bedside ultrasound 'bubble study' revealed venous cannulation. A chest X-ray postprocedure revealed concern for arterial system catheterisation. However, the possibility of a persistent left superior vena cava was discussed and confirmed with a formal transthoracic echocardiogram and CT. This case demonstrates the importance of ultrasound-guided visualisation of anatomical structures in real time during central venous catheterisation. Other similar cases from the literature are briefly described.

Cardiac Arrhythmias in Patient with Isolated Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

We report here the case of a 47-year-old male presented with atypical chest pain, fatigue and arrhythmias that was found to have persistent left superior vena cava. The clinical exam was normal. Twelve leads ECG showed sinus rhythm of 70 beats/min, QRS axis of 90 degree and right bundle branch block. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, a large coronary sinus and mild pulmonary hypertension. Saline contrast echocardiography was performed and micro-bubbles were visible first into the coronary sinus and then passed through the right atrium. Multislice computed tomography confirmed the presence of persistent left superior vein cava and the site of drainage into the right atrium via a large coronary sinus. Right superior vein cava was absent. In this case report, we emphasize the importance of full assessment in patient with persistent left superior vena cava.

Inability to Utilize Retrograde Cardioplegia due to a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

A persistent left superior vena cava is a congenital abnormality that affects a minority of the general population. While this finding is not hemodynamically significant in all patients, failure to recognize the altered anatomy in any of these patients can be consequential during procedures such as central venous catheter placement, pacemaker/defibrillator wire placement, and use of retrograde cardioplegia during cardiac surgery. We present a case of an intraoperative diagnosis of a persistent left superior vena cava that altered the original plan to arrest the heart using retrograde cardioplegia. Echocardiography was instrumental in this diagnosis and avoided potentially inadequate myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass.