Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Central venous catheterization via persistent left superior vena cava

R K Josloff1, J S Kukora

  • 1Department of Surgery, Abington Memorial Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA.

The American Surgeon
|September 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

This article presents a case where a central venous catheter was suspected to be in the wrong place. The catheter was found to be in a persistent left superior vena cava, an unusual anatomical variation. The researchers used blood gas analysis, a lateral chest X-ray, and venography to confirm the catheter's position. They showed that the catheter could be safely used for total parenteral nutrition. The study emphasizes the importance of using multiple diagnostic methods to evaluate catheter placement. It also discusses the embryological basis for this anatomical variation. The findings suggest that such variations should be considered in clinical practice. The authors propose a systematic approach to managing suspected malposition.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists·2001
Same author

Integrating educational objectives and the evaluation process in a general surgery residency program.

Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges·2001
Same author

AACE/AAES medical/surgical guidelines for clinical practice: management of thyroid carcinoma. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. American College of Endocrinology.

Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists·2001
Same author

Group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis subsequent to pectoralis muscle strain.

The Journal of trauma·2000
Same author

Laparoscopically assisted colon resection for colon carcinoma: perioperative results and long-term outcome.

Surgical endoscopy·2000
Same author

Laparoscopic reoperation for failed antireflux procedures.

Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)·1999

Area of Science:

  • Vascular anatomy in clinical medicine
  • Central venous catheterization techniques
  • Congenital vascular anomalies

Background:

A gap exists in the understanding of how to assess catheter placement when imaging suggests an unusual anatomical path. Established knowledge shows that central venous catheters are commonly placed in the superior vena cava. However, no prior work had resolved the challenges of identifying a persistent left superior vena cava in routine clinical practice. This uncertainty drove the need for a more detailed evaluation of such cases. Prior research has shown that anatomical variations can lead to misinterpretation of imaging. Yet, the specific steps for diagnosing and managing this variation remain unclear. This paper contributes by providing a case-based approach to evaluating suspected malposition. It highlights the importance of using multiple diagnostic tools to confirm catheter placement. The study addresses a specific clinical challenge in vascular access.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of the study was to evaluate a case where a central venous catheter appeared to be malpositioned. The specific problem was the identification of an unusual anatomical variation affecting catheter placement. This motivated the use of multiple diagnostic methods to confirm the catheter's location. The researchers sought to clarify the clinical implications of a persistent left superior vena cava. They aimed to demonstrate how this condition can be managed safely. The study also aimed to review the embryological basis for this anatomical variation. It sought to provide a framework for assessing similar cases in the future. The motivation was to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce unnecessary interventions.

Keywords:
central venous cathetervenous anatomyvascular anomaliesparenteral nutrition

Frequently Asked Questions

A persistent left superior vena cava is an anatomical variation where the left-sided vena cava remains functional instead of regressing during embryonic development.

The catheter's position was confirmed using blood gas analysis, lateral chest X-ray, and venography.

A lateral chest X-ray helps visualize the catheter's path along the left lateral border of the heart, which may suggest an unusual anatomical course.

Venography provides clear visualization of the vena cava and confirms the presence of a persistent left superior vena cava.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Methods:

The researchers used a case-based approach to evaluate the catheter's position. They performed blood gas analysis to assess the catheter's location. A lateral chest X-ray was used to visualize the catheter's path. Venography was conducted to confirm the presence of a left-sided vena cava. The team reviewed the patient's clinical history and imaging data. They compared the findings with standard anatomical references. The study included a review of the embryological development of the vena cava. The researchers also discussed the implications for clinical practice. These methods allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the case.

Main Results:

The catheter was found to be positioned in a persistent left superior vena cava. Blood gas analysis confirmed that the catheter was in a venous rather than an arterial vessel. The lateral chest X-ray showed the catheter along the left lateral border of the heart. Venography provided clear visualization of the left-sided vena cava. The catheter was used successfully for total parenteral nutrition. No complications arose from its use in this location. The findings suggest that this anatomical variation can be managed safely. The study highlights the importance of using multiple diagnostic tools. It also shows that a persistent left vena cava can be functional in clinical settings. The results support the use of a systematic approach to catheter evaluation.

Conclusions:

The authors propose that a persistent left superior vena cava can be identified through a combination of diagnostic methods. They suggest that this anatomical variation should be considered in cases of suspected malposition. The study shows that such catheters can be used safely for clinical purposes. The findings support the use of venography as a definitive diagnostic tool. The authors propose that blood gas analysis can help confirm venous placement. They suggest that lateral chest X-rays provide useful anatomical information. The study emphasizes the need for a systematic evaluation of catheter placement. The authors conclude that this case illustrates the importance of considering anatomical variations in clinical practice.

Failed At:

2026-07-14T07:44:27.553853+00:00

Yes, the catheter was used for total parenteral nutrition without complications.

The authors suggest using a systematic approach with multiple diagnostic tools to evaluate catheter placement in suspected malposition.