[A case of absent right and persistent left superior vena cava: echocardiographic diagnosis]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Atypical chest pain evaluation often includes advanced cardiac imaging.
• Congenital anomalies of the superior vena cava (SVC) are uncommon but can have clinical significance.

Observation:

• Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a dilated coronary sinus in a 49-year-old male patient.
• Venous contrast echocardiography suggested the absence of the right SVC and persistence of the left SVC.

Findings:

• Transesophageal echocardiography definitively showed the absence of the right SVC.
• Upper venous digital subtraction cavography confirmed the echocardiographic diagnosis of a persistent left SVC and absent right SVC.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of SVC anomalies is crucial for appropriate patient management.
• Echocardiography is a valuable tool for identifying complex venous anomalies.