Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava
06:59

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Published on: January 13, 2023

Double superior and inferior vena cava: unusual venous anomaly

Concetta Melluso1, Santi Raffa, Gianluca Di Bella

  • 1Cardiology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University Hospital, Messina, Italy.

Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (Hagerstown, Md.)
|February 28, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This case study details a rare finding of both double superior and inferior vena cava in a patient with cardiac conditions. This unique anatomical variation required careful diagnosis and management during pacemaker procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Medical Imaging
  • Anatomical Variations

Background:

  • A 56-year-old woman presented with recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and sick sinus syndrome.
  • Pre-pacemaker implantation, persistent left superior vena cava was diagnosed.

Observation:

  • During pacemaker replacement, challenging lead progression from the right femoral vein suggested an inferior vena cava anomaly.
  • Contrast ultrasonography and computed tomography confirmed a double inferior vena cava.

Findings:

  • The patient exhibited the rare, isolated, and contemporary presence of both double superior vena cava and double inferior vena cava.
  • This represents the first reported case of this specific combined anatomical variation.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of recognizing rare venous anomalies in cardiovascular interventions.
  • Accurate pre-procedural imaging is crucial for managing patients with complex congenital venous variations.
  • Understanding these anomalies aids in successful pacemaker lead placement and patient care.

More Related Videos

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis06:45

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

Published on: February 10, 2023

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation05:49

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: May 16, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis01:18

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis

The human body is a complex system of interconnected parts, and the circulatory system plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One key component of this system is the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for returning blood from the abdominopelvic viscera and abdominal walls to the heart.
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...
Overview of Systemic Veins01:11

Overview of Systemic Veins

Systemic veins are crucial blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from various body tissues back to the heart. There are three systemic veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart, they are as follows.
The coronary sinus, the heart's principal vein, resides in the coronary sulcus on the heart's posterior aspect. This broad venous channel receives nearly all venous blood from the myocardium, the heart muscle. It is fed by three primary veins: the great cardiac vein, the middle...
Overview of Systemic Arteries01:11

Overview of Systemic Arteries

The human body is a complex, well-organized machine, and at the heart of its operations lies the circulatory system. This network of blood vessels, which includes systemic arteries, plays a vital role in maintaining life by transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste products to and from cells throughout the body.
Systemic circulation is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Veins of Thorax01:19

Veins of Thorax

The azygos system is a crucial part of the body's circulatory system and drains most of the thorax. It comprises the azygos, hemiazygos, and accessory hemiazygos veins.
The azygos vein, positioned just right of the midline and anterior to the vertebral column, begins at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, terminating in the superior vena cava. This vein drains blood from the right side of the thoracic wall, thoracic viscera, and posterior abdominal wall.
The...
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Veins of Upper Limbs01:17

Veins of Upper Limbs

The human circulatory system, a marvel of biological engineering, is a complex network of vessels that transport blood throughout the body. Among these, the veins responsible for carrying blood from the upper limbs are divided into two categories: deep and superficial.
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...