Percutaneous closure of a persistent left superior vena cava connected to the left atrium

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Cyanotic congenital heart disease with right-to-left shunts predisposes patients to cerebral complications.
• Persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) draining into the left atrium is a rare anomaly associated with these complications.
• Recurrent cerebral emboli and abscesses necessitate intervention for affected patients.

Observation:

• A rare case of persistent LSVC draining into the left atrium was identified.
• The patient experienced recurrent cerebral emboli and abscesses due to this anomaly.
• This condition can lead to significant neurological complications.

Findings:

• Percutaneous closure of the persistent LSVC draining into the left atrium was successfully performed.
• An Amplatzer ASD occluder was utilized for the closure procedure.
• This represents the first reported case of percutaneous closure for this specific LSVC anomaly.

Implications:

• Percutaneous closure offers a minimally invasive treatment option for persistent LSVC with left atrial drainage.
• Successful closure can prevent serious neurological complications like cerebral emboli and abscesses.
• This approach may become a valuable strategy in managing patients with cyanotic heart disease and associated venous anomalies.