Anomalous left superior vena cava in combined heart-lung transplantation

An anomalous left superior vena cava (SVC) was identified in two recipients during combined heart-lung transplantation. In the first patient an interposition Gore-Tex graft was used to reconstitute the venous drainage from the aberrant left SVC to the right atrium. In the second patient a new method of reconstituting the drainage from the left SVC with the donor innominate vein is described. It is recommended that excision of the donor heart and lung should include the innominate vein, as it may be used to create a venous channel for an aberrant left SVC if present in the recipient.