Percutaneous intracardiac baffle stenting after a scimitar vein correction

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Medical Devices
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Scimitar vein syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by anomalous pulmonary venous return.
• Surgical correction aims to restore normal venous drainage and cardiac function.
• Intracardiac baffles are often used to redirect venous flow to the left atrium.

Observation:

• A 35-year-old female underwent successful surgical correction for a scimitar vein.
• Postoperative recovery was initially uneventful with normalized functional capacity.
• Progressive dyspnea developed six months after the initial surgery.

Findings:

• Diagnostic imaging revealed kinking and distal stenosis of the intracardiac baffle.
• The baffle obstruction impaired blood flow from the scimitar vein to the left atrium.
• Balloon dilatation and stenting effectively resolved the baffle obstruction.

Implications:

• This case highlights potential late complications following scimitar vein correction using intracardiac baffles.
• Percutaneous interventions like balloon dilatation and stenting offer a viable treatment for baffle-related stenosis.
• Successful management of baffle complications can restore cardiac function and alleviate symptoms in patients with scimitar vein syndrome.