Systemic venous abnormalities: embryologic and echocardiographic considerations

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.

Ultrasound Pitfalls in a Complex Fetal Cardiac Malformation—Case Report of a New Arteriovenous Central Communication

Cardiac and cardiovascular malformations are of real interest in terms of definition, epidemiology, and means of early diagnosis by imaging. Although ultrasound examination reaches exceptional performance nowadays, unusual pathologies are still exposed to the risk of either incorrect acquired image or misinterpretation by the specialist in a routine scan. Herein, we present a case of a 20-week-old fetus (from an apparently low-risk pregnancy) with complex cardiac and vascular abnormalities, including an arteriovenous malformation along with ventricular septal defect, ductal coarctation of the aorta, aneurysm of a brachiocephalic vein, and dilation of the entire neck and upper mediastinum venous system, and the limitations that were encountered in the process of diagnosis and management of the case.

Bilateral absence of superior vena cava

The absence of a right superior vena cava (SVC) in situs solitus is very rare, and even then it is usually associated with left SVC. There have been few case reports in the literature of isolated bilateral absence of SVC. Bilateral absent SVC can have clinical implication, including pacemaker placements, central venous line placement, monitoring, and occasionally associated anomalies. We describe a case detected on fetal echocardiogram with bilateral absent SVC and structurally normal heart.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Device Implantation: Clinical and Long-Term Data

Background

Persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) is a rare congenital venous anomaly that may be found at the time of cardiac device lead insertion.

Methods

In this case series, we present clinical and long-term data of five patients with LSVC who underwent pacemaker (PM) or cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation during the period of 10 years.

Results

Left-sided venous approach was used for device implantation in 3 patients with standard PM indications, whereas a right-sided venous approach and an epicardial approach had to be used in 2 patients who needed an ICD and biventricular PM, respectively. In post implantation period of 44 ± 29 months, one patient died due to stroke, one underwent heart transplantation, and 3 had atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

The long-term outcome of patients with persistent LSVC and implanted cardiac devices is mostly influenced by the presence of underlying heart disease.

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.

Successful Surgical Correction of Total Anomalous Systemic Venous Drainage: A Report of 2 Cases

Total anomalous systemic venous drainage is a rare malformation and only limited cases have been reported previously. Here we report two cases of total anomalous systemic venous drainage with successful surgical correction.

Management of systemic venous anomalies in the pediatric cardiovascular surgical patient

Systemic venous anomalies are rare and heterogeneous entities. Although these anomalies are rare in the general population, they occur more frequently in the subpopulation with congenital heart disease. In and of themselves, most of these lesions have no physiologic significance. However, in the setting of congenital heart disease these lesions may significantly alter surgical treatment. This review is dedicated to these lesions.