Persistent left superior vena cava: Review of the literature, clinical implications, and relevance of alterations in thoracic central venous anatomy as pertaining to the general principles of central venous access device placement and venography in cancer patients

Abstract

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) represents the most common congenital venous anomaly of the thoracic systemic venous return, occurring in 0.3% to 0.5% of individuals in the general population, and in up to 12% of individuals with other documented congential heart abnormalities. In this regard, there is very little in the literature that specifically addresses the potential importance of the incidental finding of PLSVC to surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other physicians actively involved in central venous access device placement in cancer patients. In the current review, we have attempted to comprehensively evaluate the available literature regarding PLSVC. Additionally, we have discussed the clinical implications and relevance of such congenital aberrancies, as well as of treatment-induced or disease-induced alterations in the anatomy of the thoracic central venous system, as they pertain to the general principles of successful placement of central venous access devices in cancer patients. Specifically regarding PLSVC, it is critical to recognize its presence during attempted central venous access device placement and to fully characterize the pattern of cardiac venous return (i.e., to the right atrium or to the left atrium) in any patient suspected of PLSVC prior to initiation of use of their central venous access device.

Complications of permanent cardiac pacing in patients with persistent left superior vena cava

“…Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a congenital anomaly found in about 0.3-0.5% of the general population and in about 12% of patients with other abnormalities [1]. The PLSVC as an isolated venous anomaly is usually asymptomatic, however, it may become a significant problem when using some treatment strategies.…”

“…The PLSVC as an isolated venous anomaly is usually asymptomatic, however, it may become a significant problem when using some treatment strategies. Various complications related to PLVSC are encountered in anesthesiological, nephrological, oncological and cardiological procedures [1][2][3][4][5]. In cardiology, the presence of PLSVC is usually incidentally detected during placement of pacemakers (PM), implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices.…”

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Patient With Paroxysmal Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

“…Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rarely occurring congenital anomaly with the incidence of 0.3% in general population [1]. In the majority of cases the anomaly is asymptomatic, but it is frequently (12%) accompanied by other malformations such as atrial septal Стойкая левая верхняя полая вена (PLSVC) является редко встречающейся врожденной аномалией с частотой 0,3% в общей популяции.…”

“…Здесь мы опишем взрослого пациента с сохранной левой верхней полой веной, выявленной в ходе эхокардиографии, сделанной 57-лет-нему пациенту мужского пола с пароксизмальной атриовентрикулярной узло-вой возвратной тахикардией (AVNRt), который был госпитализирован в карди-ологическое отделение на регулярной основе для проведения исследования. defect, ventricular septal defect, aortic coarctation, transposition of the great vessels, tetralogy of Fallot, anomalous connections of the pulmonary veins or single atrium [1,2,3]. In 90% of cases blood from PLSVC flows into the coronary sinus and then to the right atrium.…”

“…Programmed atrial stimulation repetitively induced nodal reentrant tachycardia with a ventricular rate of 140bpm. Radiofrequency ablation of slow pathway modified the conduction and caused a lack of inducibility of the tachycardia in control programmed stimulation.Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rarely occurring congenital anomaly with the incidence of 0.3% in general population [1]. In the majority of cases the anomaly is asymptomatic, but it is frequently (12%) accompanied by other malformations such as atrial septal Стойкая левая верхняя полая вена (PLSVC) является редко встречающейся врожденной аномалией с частотой 0,3% в общей популяции.…”