title: Persistent left superior vena cava: what the interventional nephrologist needs to know.
abstract: Variations in the course of the blood vessels are often incidental findings during clinical examination. Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is an uncommon anomaly, estimated to be present in about 0.3-0.5% of healthy individuals and in about 3-10% of patients with congenital heart disease. It results from the failure of the left anterior cardinal vein to degenerate during embryological development. Serious complications such as shock, angina and cardiac arrest have been described during catheterization in adults with a PLSVC. Since it frequently goes undiagnosed because of lack of symptoms when not accompanied by other anomalies, variations of the superior vena cava should be considered, especially when central venous catheterization via the subclavian or internal jugular vein is difficult. The embryological development, diagnosis, and clinical implications of a PLSVC are therefore reviewed in this article.
authors: Departments of Nephrology & Dialysis, Internal Medicine & Radiology, Vittorio Emanuele-Ferrarotto-S. Bambino Hospital, University of Catania, Catania,Italy. antonio.granata4@tin.it
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Granata
authors: Simeone
authors: S
authors: Andrulli
authors: Fulvio
authors: F
authors: Fiorini
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Logias
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Figuera
authors: Renzo
authors: R
authors: Mignani
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Basile
authors: Carmelo Erio
authors: CE
authors: Fiore
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging