Persistent left superior vena cava
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| Q26.1 | Persistence of the left superior vena cava |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
The persistence of the left superior vena cava is the most common normal variant of the venous system in the thorax . It can be found in around 0.5% of the population.
In normal embryonic development, the left superior vena cava recedes and the left subclavian vein and vein jugularis connect with the right superior vena cava. If this is not done, the left superior vena cava usually drains into an enlarged coronary sinus . The right superior vena cava is also present in 82–90% of cases, but it can be smaller than usual. More rarely, the left superior vena cava can also drain into the left atrium and result in a functional right-left shunt .
This norm variant itself has no disease value, but can be associated with other malformations (e.g. laryngeal atresia ). It is usually noticed as an incidental finding during echocardiography or other cardiac imaging, and occasionally it can cause problems when implanting pacemakers or ICDs .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b R.B. Irwin, M. Greaves, M. Schmitt: Left superior vena cava: revisited . In: Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging . Vol. 13, No. 4 , February 2, 2012, p. 284–291 , doi : 10.1093 / ehjci / jes017 , PMID 22301985 (English, oup.com [accessed March 18, 2017]).
