Persistent left superior vena cava: the anatomical and surgical importance
Erdoğan, M.; Karakaş, P.; Uygur, F.; Meşe, B.; Yamak, B.; Bozkir, M.G.
West Indian Medical Journal 56(1): 72-76
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-3144 PMID: 17621848 Document Number: 612791
Objective: Persistence of the left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a congenital anomaly resultingftom failure of degeneration of the left cardinal vein. The prevalence of this anatomical variant is approximately 0.3% in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the persistence of the left superior vena cava in order to avoid potential complications.Subjects and methods: The study was conducted during a five-year period in 152 patients (64 males, 88 females) aged 1-65 years who underwent cardiac surgery for congenital heart diseases.Results: The persistence of the left superior vena cava was found in 5 of 152 patients (3.3%). All persistent left superior vena cavae opened into the coronary sinus. Furthermore, the coronary sinus was enlarged in all patients. The right superior vena cava was absent in one of the five cases (20%) in this study.Conclusion: This anatomical variant must be recognized to avoid the potential complications.