Device Closure of Ventricular Septal Defect by a Unique Technique

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

• Percutaneous coronary interventions are becoming more common.
• Congenital heart defect (CHD) device closure is an evolving field.
• Anatomical variations can pose challenges in cardiac interventions.

Observation:

• A pediatric patient presented with a ventricular septal defect (VSD).
• The patient had a rare anatomical anomaly: absent inferior vena cava (IVC).
• Standard venous access to the right side of the heart was not feasible.

Findings:

• A novel technique was employed to access the right side of the heart.
• The hemiazygous vein was successfully utilized as an alternative conduit.
• This allowed for successful device closure of the VSD.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the feasibility of using the hemiazygous vein for cardiac interventions in complex anatomies.
• It expands the potential treatment options for congenital heart defects in patients with IVC anomalies.
• Highlights the adaptability of interventional techniques for challenging pediatric cardiac cases.