Fetal persistent left superior vena cava in cases with and without chromosomal anomalies.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study are to determine and compare the prevalence of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) in chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses and to evaluate the potential of PLSVC as a screening marker for chromosomal abnormalities.


METHODS
Women undergoing routine fetal sonographic examinations were evaluated once for the presence of PLSVC. PLSVC was diagnosed on the basis of the identification of an additional vessel in the left of the pulmonary artery in a three-vessel trachea view. Associated abnormalities, karyotypes, and outcomes were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 164 (0.7%, 164/25 171) cases of PLSVC were detected and successfully followed-up. The detection rates were 0.5% (81/17 535) and 1.1% (83/7636) in the low-risk and high-risk cases, respectively. The incidence of PLSVC was lower among the chromosomally or clinically normal (0.4%, 110/24 914) compared with chromosomally abnormal fetuses (7.8%, 20/257, p < 0.001). Additional defects were identified in 90% (18/20) of the PLSVC fetuses with chromosomal anomalies, a rate that was higher than those fetuses with chromosomal normal (61.8%, 68/110).


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent left superior vena cava is more common among chromosomally abnormal than normal fetuses, and PLSVC fetuses with other defects are more highly associated with chromosomal disorders than isolated PLSVC fetuses. Isolated PLSVC is a benign vascular anomaly and may not affect outcomes.
Department of Ultrasonic Medicine and Fetal Medical Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Liu
L
Du
Hong-Ning
HN
Xie
Yun-Xiao
YX
Zhu
Li-Juan
LJ
Li
Ruan
R
Peng
Ju
J
Zheng
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities*
D015415:Biomarkers