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Right superior caval vein draining into the left atrium—diagnosis by color flow mapping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

Luis E. Alday ,
Hector Maisuls  and
Roberto De Rossi
Luis E. Alday*
Affiliation:
From the Divisions of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Departments of Pediatrics, Catholic and National Universities of Cordoba, Hospital de Niños, Cordoba
Hector Maisuls
Affiliation:
From the Divisions of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Departments of Pediatrics, Catholic and National Universities of Cordoba, Hospital de Niños, Cordoba
Roberto De Rossi
Affiliation:
From the Divisions of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery and the Departments of Pediatrics, Catholic and National Universities of Cordoba, Hospital de Niños, Cordoba
*
Dr. Luis E. Alday, Division of Cardiology, Hospital de Niños, Boulevard Chacabuco 1016, 5000 Cordoba, Argentina. Tel. (051) 60-6920; Fax. (54)51-68-8272.
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Abstract

We report two female patients, one aged four years and the other a newborn, referred for evaluation of cyanosis with otherwise normal cardiovascular findings, who proved to have the right superior caval vein draining into the morphologically left atrium. In both patients, the diagnosis was made by color flow mapping. The older child underwent catheterization and subsequent successful surgical correction. A right superior caval vein draining into the left atrium, although very rare, should always be considered a diagnostic possibility in the presence of cyanosis and normal clinical findings. Color flow mapping is an excellent method with which to make the diagnosis.

Keywords

Superior caval veinanomalous systemic venous returncolor flow mapping
Type
Original Manuscripts
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , October 1995 , pp. 345 - 349
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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