title: Failure of left-sided implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation due to absence of left brachiocephalic vein.
abstract: Implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator by the transvenous approach was impossible from the left side in a patient with on absence of the left brachiocephalic vein; the left subclavian vein was connected by a large left superior intercostal vein to the accessory hemiazygos vein that joined the azygos vein; then the blood flowed into the superior vena cava. Implantation was successfully attempted using the right-sided venous access.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Central Hemek Hospital, Afula, Israel. antonelli_dudu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Freedberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rosenfeld
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001401:Azygos Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012272:Ribs / Q000098:blood supply; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014680:Veins / Q000002:abnormalities; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging