title: [Difficult placement of a pulmonary artery catheter due to a persistent left vena cava superior].
abstract: The incidental detection of a persistent left vena cava superior during insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) prior to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is reported. A persistent left vena cava superior is the most frequent thoracic malformation and can be associated with other malformations such as congenital heart disease. Therefore, further diagnostic evaluation is needed especially in pulmonary hypertension and ARDS. Anaesthesiologists should be aware of the specific aspects associated with a persistent left vena cava superior.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen. tanja.treschan@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Treschan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Plicht
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beiderlinden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000628:therapy; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities*