Persistent left superior vena cava and right superior vena cava drainage into the left atrium without arterial hypoxemia.
A 46 year old patient who presented with an acute myocardial infarction was discovered to have a systemic venous communication with the left heart during attempted insertion of a pulmonary flotation catheter. There was no evidence of cyanosis or systemic arterial desaturation. A right superior vena cava that emptied into the right superior pulmonary vein and a persistent left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus were confirmed pathologically after death related to a brain abscess. The embryology, physiology and noninvasive diagnostic approach to this unique venous anomaly are discussed.
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004452:Echocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology