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Absent right superior caval vein in situs solitus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 March 2015

Rebekka Lytzen ,
Karin Sundberg  and
Niels Vejlstrup
Rebekka Lytzen*
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Karin Sundberg
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Niels Vejlstrup
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
*
Correspondence to: R. Lytzen, Natalvej 48, 2770 Kastrup, Denmark. Tel: (+45) 26 28 83 24; Fax: (+45) 35 45 77 05; E-mail: rebekka@tondering.dk
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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.

Keywords

Congenital heart diseaseabsent right superior caval veinfoetal echocardiography
Type
Original Articles
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , February 2016 , pp. 334 - 339
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

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