PERSISTENT LEFT SUPERIOR VENA CAVA DRAINING INTO THE LEFT ATRIUM – A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Twenty two years young female presented with shortness of breath, palpitationsand paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea (PND) in outpatient department. Her Pasthistory of rheumatic fever was positive. She had irregular pulse, heaving apexbeat and raised JVP. Pansystolic murmur present in mitral area and axilla. ASOTwas 300 but TLC was normal. Echocardiogram showed severe mitralregurgitation. She was planned for mitral valve replacement. Intraoperativetransesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed persistent left superior venacava (PLSVC) that was opening into the left atrium. TEE findings of PLSVCopening in LA were confirmed as excessive blood was flowing in LA after openingthe left atrium. A vent was placed in LA due to excessive blood flow.We also put asuction catheter and were then able to proceed further and the mitral valve thenreplaced. Patient was discharged on warfarin and digoxin in healthy and stablestate.