Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
Rat Heterotopic Abdominal Heart/Single-lung Transplantation in a Volume-loaded Configuration
Published on: May 29, 2015
Orthotopic heart transplantation with reconstruction of persistent left superior vena cava
Kazuma Handa1, Hiroki Hata2, Koichi Toda1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Insights
Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) can be managed during heart transplantation. Reconstruction using a prosthetic graft offers a viable option for PLSVC, ensuring successful outcomes in heart transplant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Congenital Vascular Abnormalities
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a common congenital vascular anomaly.
- This anomaly presents unique challenges during cardiac procedures, including heart transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel surgical technique for managing PLSVC during orthotopic heart transplantation.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using a prosthetic vascular graft for PLSVC reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- A case report of a 20-year-old male with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and PLSVC undergoing heart transplantation.
- Reconstruction of the transected PLSVC using a prosthetic vascular graft anastomosed to the right atrium.
- Postoperative assessment using enhanced computed tomography to confirm graft patency.
Main Results:
- The prosthetic graft demonstrated good patency on postoperative imaging.
- The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative course with a 2-year follow-up.
- No major complications related to the PLSVC reconstruction were observed.
Conclusions:
- Prosthetic graft reconstruction is a feasible and effective option for managing PLSVC during heart transplantation.
- This technique may help mitigate risks associated with PLSVC in transplant recipients.
Background:
Persistent left superior vena cava is a not uncommon congenital vascular abnormality. We report a case of heart transplantation with reconstruction of persistent left superior vena cava using a prosthetic vascular graft.
Case Presentation:
A 20-year-old man with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and persistent left superior vena cava underwent orthotopic heart transplantation 2 years and 3 months after left ventricular assist device implantation. Because the persistent left superior vena cava had a larger diameter than the right superior vena cava, the transected persistent left superior vena cava was reconstructed with a prosthetic vascular graft anastomosed to the free wall of the right atrium. Postoperative enhanced computed tomography revealed good patency of the graft. The patient's postoperative course has been uneventful during 2 years of follow-up, despite the risk of complications.
Conclusions:
Reconstruction of a persistent left superior vena cava with a prosthetic vascular graft may be one option at the time of heart transplantation.
