[Left superior vena cava and anomalies associated with it]

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Cardiology
• Developmental Biology

Context:

• Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare congenital anomaly.
• Understanding its prevalence and association with congenital heart disease (CHD) is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose:

• To determine the frequency of PLSVC and its associated congenital heart diseases.
• To analyze the morphology of superior systemic venous return and cardiac anomalies in hearts with situs solitus and isomeric situs.

Summary:

• A study of 1277 necropsies identified 66 hearts with variations in superior vena cava. Group I (situs solitus) showed PLSVC with coronary sinus connection in 33 hearts, frequently associated with ventricular septal defects and atrioventricular connection anomalies.
• Group II (isomeric situs) had 34 hearts with absent coronary sinus and venous connections in the atrial roof. 19 hearts had double superior vena cava, and 15 had only left superior vena cava, often with complex CHD.
• PLSVC develops from the persistence of embryonic venous connections. Its presence has significant surgical implications, especially when co-occurring with congenital heart disease.

Impact:

• Provides data on the prevalence of PLSVC and its associated cardiac malformations.
• Highlights the importance of recognizing PLSVC in the context of congenital heart disease for surgical planning.
• Contributes to the understanding of complex congenital heart anomalies and their embryological basis.