[Persistent left superior vena cava: infrequent localization of central venous catheter].
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to report a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in a critically ill patient.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Intensive care unit of a referral center.


METHODS
A 52 years-old male without previous cardiovascular disease was admitted to the intensive care unit due to cranial trauma. A central left subclavian vein catheter was placed at his arrival at the center chest X-ray showed the catheter in the left of the cardiac silhohuete without hemo-pneumothorax. A angiographic evaluation through central venous catheter showed persistent left superior vena cava draining to the coronary sinus and right atrium with normal permeability of right superior vena cava. Other congenital alterations were excluded. Chest computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis. Persistent left superior vena cava is a congenital vascular abnormality. The intensive care unit staff must be aware of this vascular abnormality because it can complicate central venous catheterization.
Carrillo-Esper
Raúl
R
Academia Mexicana de Cirugía, Postgrado de Medicina del Enfermo en Estado Crítico, Mexico. seconcapcma@mail.medinet.net.mx
Contreras-Domínguez
Vladimir
V
Salmerón-Nájera
Pedro
P
Carvajal-Ramos
Roberto
R
Hernández-Aguilar
César
C
Juárez-Uribe
Aurelio
A
D000792:Angiography; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging