title: Absent right superior caval vein in situs solitus.
abstract: Introduction In up to 0.07% of the general population, the right anterior cardinal vein obliterates and the left remains open, creating an absent right superior caval vein and a persistent left superior caval vein. Absent right superior caval vein is associated with additional congenital heart disease in about half the patients. We wished to study the consequences of absent right superior caval vein as an incidental finding on prenatal ultrasonic malformation screening. Material and methods This is a retrospective case series study of all foetuses diagnosed with absent right superior caval vein at the national referral hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, from 2009 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, five cases of absent right superior caval vein were reviewed. No significant associated cardiac, extra-cardiac, or genetic anomalies were found. Postnatal echocardiographies confirmed the diagnosis and there were no postnatal complications. All children were found to have healthy hearts at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In all cases, the findings proved to be a benign condition with no clinical manifestations or complications. Although isolated absent right superior caval vein does not seem to affect the outcome, associated anomalies may be serious. Absent right superior caval vein should, therefore, prompt a search for additional malformations. Furthermore, the diagnosis of an isolated absent right superior caval vein is important, because knowledge of the anomaly can prevent future problems when invasive procedures are necessary.
authors: Department of Cardiology,Copenhagen University Hospital,Rigshospitalet,Denmark.
authors: Rebekka
authors: R
authors: Lytzen
authors: Department of Cardiology,Copenhagen University Hospital,Rigshospitalet,Denmark.
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Sundberg
authors: Department of Cardiology,Copenhagen University Hospital,Rigshospitalet,Denmark.
authors: Niels
authors: N
authors: Vejlstrup
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Congenital heart disease; absent right superior caval vein; foetal echocardiography