title: Persistent left superior vena cava leads to catheter malposition during PICC Port placement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present a case of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) port placement where the catheter had been malpositioned to the persistent left superior vena cava.
  
  
  METHODS
  Despite the obvious elevation of the P-wave signaling proximity of the catheter tip to the sinus node, the catheter was not in the desired location within the superior vena cava or the right atrium, because of the presence of a persistent left superior vena cava. Computed tomography was used in order to locate the catheter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The catheter was located in the persistent left superior vena cava.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malpositioning of the catheter in the persistent left superior vena cava occurs in 0.3%-0.5% of patients. The catheter was subsequently removed.
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Surgery, Agioi Anargyroi Oncology Hospital, Athens - Greece.|Evgenidion University Hospital, Athens - Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelos A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Konstantinou
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Surgery, Agioi Anargyroi Oncology Hospital, Athens - Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Mariolis Sapsakos
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Surgery, Agioi Anargyroi Oncology Hospital, Athens - Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Katsoulas
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Surgery, Agioi Anargyroi Oncology Hospital, Athens - Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Velecheris
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Surgery, Agioi Anargyroi Oncology Hospital, Athens - Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsitsimelis
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Surgery, Agioi Anargyroi Oncology Hospital, Athens - Greece.
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonatsos
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D062666:Vascular Access Devices; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging