Persistent left superior vena cava

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Overview
A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common variation of the thoracic venous system, is  prevalent in 0.3% of the population, and an embryologic reminant that results from a failure to involute.

In PLSVC, the left brachiocephalic vein does not develop fully and the left upper limb and head & neck drain into the right atrium via the coronary sinus. The variation, in insolation, is considered benign, but is very frequently associated with cardiac abnormalities (e.g. ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect) that have a significant mortality and morbidity. It is more frequent in patients with congenital heart defects.

CT
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Cardiac Catheterization
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Pathologic Findings
Image shown below is courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and Published with permission. © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology