title: Persistent left superior vena cava: transoesophageal echocardiographic findings and surgical strategies.
abstract: Two cases of casual discovery of persistent left superior vena cava during cardiac surgery are reported. Diagnoses were suspected at the time of peroperative transoesophageal echocardiography in the first case, and of preoperative fluoroscopy during a Swan-Ganz catheter insertion procedure in the second case. For both patients, a peroperative echo contrast study permitted to confirm the anomaly before initialization of cardiopulmonary bypass. Embryology, echocardiographic findings and surgical management, including cardioplegia delivering and left upper venous system drainage, are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University Clinics UCL of Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Broka
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ducart
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Collard
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Louagie
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Eucher
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Delire
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Joucken
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery