title: Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Draining Into the Left Atrium Found During Bypass Operation.
abstract: We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who underwent urgent coronary bypass grafting (CABG). Intraoperatively a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) draining into the left atrium was detected. Because of the resulting right-to-left shunt volume even after complete drainage and collapse of the right atrium, the heart was still ejecting in the absence of significant aortic insufficiency. Thorough examination revealed a PLSVC draining into the left atrium. After ligation of the PLSVC, the CABG could be performed as planned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Intensive Care Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirnbauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoellinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Rainald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seitelberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. Electronic address: roman.gottardi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gottardi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery