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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
[Recurrent embolic strokes associated with persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium]
Keita Kondo1, Kouichi Noda, Kazuhide Ochi
1Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Hiroshima University.
Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|August 23, 2008
Summary
A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) with thrombosis led to multiple brain and kidney infarctions in a 36-year-old man. This rare congenital anomaly caused blood flow retention, thrombus formation, and subsequent systemic embolism.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Congenital vascular anomalies can predispose individuals to thromboembolic events.
- Superior vena cava anomalies are rare but clinically significant.
- Understanding the hemodynamics of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is crucial for managing associated complications.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old male presented with recurrent brain infarctions (pons, cerebellum) and evidence of renal infarctions.
- Imaging revealed a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) with venous thrombus in the thorax.
- The PLSVC directly connected to the left atrium, bypassing normal venous return pathways.
Findings:
- The patient had no identifiable risk factors for systemic embolism other than the PLSVC thrombosis.
- Blood flow retention within the PLSVC is hypothesized to have caused thrombus formation.
- The thrombus likely embolized systemically via the direct PLSVC-left atrium connection, leading to multiple infarctions.
Implications:
- This case highlights PLSVC as a potential source of systemic embolism, even in the absence of typical risk factors.
- Early diagnosis and management of PLSVC thrombosis are essential to prevent severe embolic events.
- Further research into the long-term outcomes and optimal treatment strategies for PLSVC-related thrombosis is warranted.
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