Implant of a Dual-chamber Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator through a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava

pp. 224-226

Abstract

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common congenital defect in the thoracic venous system, with an incidence of 0.3% in the general population and of 5-10% in patients with congenital heart disease. This asymptomatic condition does not produce hemodynamic impairment; however, it should be recognized as its presence poses technical challenges in the introduction of catheters for hemodynamic measurements and for placement of pacemakers (PMs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) via the cephalic vein or the left suclavian vein. In the present case report we describe the implantation of a dual-chamber ICD through a PLSVC discovered during the procedure. In addition, images from cardiac 64-row multidetector computed tomography (64-row CT) show the anatomic features of this variety.