Placement of a pulmonary artery catheter via a previously unrecognized persistent left superior vena cava.
This case report describes a patient with persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) as discovered by difficult placement of a pulmonary artery catheter via the left subclavian vein. After positioning in wedge position, chest x-ray showed a catheter route suggestive of persistent LSVC. Since this abnormality may yield potential clinical complications, this possibility should be considered in every difficult central venous access.
Stoiser
B
B
Department of Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
Vorbeck
F
F
Kofler
J
J
Locker
G J
GJ
Burgmann
H
H
D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure; D011859:Radiography; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging