Chronic cyanosis due to persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium in the absence of a coronary sinus

Pediatr Cardiol. 2013 Aug;34(6):1514-6. doi: 10.1007/s00246-012-0620-1. Epub 2013 Jan 19.

Abstract

We report a rare case of a 5-year-old child who presented with chronic hypoxemia and a normal cardiac examination, and was found to have a persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into the left atrium. The coronary sinus was absent. This case introduces a contradiction to the generally accepted concept that this anomalous connection can only occur in the presence of a partly or completely unroofed coronary sinus. High index of suspicion is required to include this pathology in the differential diagnosis for a patient with persistent cyanosis with normal cardiac examination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Sinus / abnormalities*
  • Coronary Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Cyanosis / diagnosis
  • Cyanosis / etiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / abnormalities*
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Vascular Malformations / complications*
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnosis
  • Vena Cava, Superior / abnormalities*
  • Vena Cava, Superior / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Superior / surgery