Surgical management of Candida suppurative thrombophlebitis of superior vena cava after central venous catheterization

Septic deep venous thrombosis is a major complication associated with central venous catheterization in intensive care units. The most common causative organisms are Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative bacilli and Candida species. The incidence of Candida infections is increasing, especially in intensive care patients receiving total parenteral nutrition and long-term broad-spectrum antibiotics. Although intravascular catheter-induced septic thrombophlebitis is quite common, superior vena cava obstruction is a rare complication. However, few data exist concerning the best strategy for managing septic thrombophlebitis, especially when medical therapy fails. We report successful surgical management of Candida albicans suppurative thrombosis of the superior vena cava in a young patient. Received: 30 September 1996 Accepted: 15 April 1997     

Peripherally inserted central catheter malposition in a persistent left superior vena cava.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common congenital anomaly of the superior vena cava system. Left superior vena cava exists in early embryonic development, but this vessel degenerates as the cardiovascular system matures. Failure of this process to occur results in PLSVC. If not associated with other cardiac malformations, PLSVC has no clinical signs or symptoms. This article discusses a case of PLSVC diagnosed after placement of two peripherally inserted central venous catheters that appeared to malposition outside the central circulation. After unsuccessful bedside placement of the two catheters, the patient was referred to interventional radiology for placement of a Hickman catheter. A contrast injection study showed the presence of a PLSVC with the absence of a normal right superior vena cava. The tip of the peripherally inserted central venous catheter was found to be at a satisfactory location within the PLSVC.     

VDD pacing from the middle cardiac vein via a persistent left superior vena cava

We report a combination of unusual features demonstrating a permanent pacemaker implantation of a single-pass VDD lead by way of an anomalous persistent left superior vena cava in the middle cardiac vein. The ventricular stimulation resembled a right bundle branch block QRS morphology and was successfully synchronized by spontaneous atrial activity. This case illustrates an alternative approach of effective VDD pacing and sensing in patients with such a venous anomaly when other standard implantation sites fail.     

产前超声诊断胎儿永存左上腔静脉

目的 探讨产前超声诊断胎儿永存左上腔静脉的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析21例经胎儿超声检查诊断为永存左上腔静脉的超声资料与随访结果,分析总结胎儿永存左上腔静脉各切面异常声像图特点.结果 12例胎儿经尸体解剖证实为永存左上腔静脉,胎儿永存左上腔静脉的主要声像图特征是胎儿心脏三血管切面观,肺动脉左侧多一条血管.冠状静脉窦扩张有助于诊断.结论 产前超声检查是诊断永存左上腔静脉的首选方法,有重要临床意义.     

产前超声诊断胎儿永存左上腔静脉中的价值

目的 探讨胎儿期永存左上腔静脉声像图特征及临床应用价值.方法 应用胎儿超声心动图检查3368例胎儿,检出31例胎儿永存左上腔静脉及相关畸形.结果 胎儿超声心动图显示,31例胎儿中30例合并冠状静脉窦扩张,14例合并其他心血管异常,6例合并心外畸形,4例同时合并心内外畸形.结论 永存左上腔静脉常合并先天性心脏病,胎儿预后取决于有无合并其他先天性心脏病,产前诊断永存左上腔静脉可帮助正确评估胎儿预后.     

His-bundle pacing in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava

The presence of a persistent left superior vena cava was encountered in a 53-year-old woman undergoing a dual-chamber pacemaker implant for sick sinus syndrome. Active fixation leads were used and positioned in the right atrium and right ventricle via the left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus. The natural course of the right ventricular lead riding up the lateral atrial wall and curving backward toward the septum as it exits from the coronary sinus os was found to facilitate the positioning of the lead tip close to the His bundle without the use of a specially designed guiding catheter.     

Persistent left superior vena cava — an unusual location of central venous catheters in children

The incidence of central venous catheters inadvertently placed in a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) was found to be 1.0% in a pediatric population requiring central venous catheterisation. Two well documented cases are presented and the possible association of PLSVC with other non-cardiovascular malformations is suggested.     

超声心动图诊断永存左位上腔静脉引流入左心房的价值

目的探讨超声心动图对永存左位上腔静脉引流入左房的诊断价值。方法对我院行超声心动图检查并经手术证实的13例永存左位上腔静脉（PLSVC）引流入左房病例进行了回顾性分析，总结不同引流途径的超声表现并与手术结果相对照。结果PLSVC直接开口于左房8例，PLSVC接冠状静脉窦（CS）合并CS终末段缺如者3例，PLSVC接CS合并CS中间段缺损者1例，PLSVC接CS合并CS中间、终末段均缺损者1例。7例行右心超声造影。超声正确诊断6例，误诊或漏诊7例。其中8例Raghib综合征漏诊4例，3例PLSVC接CS合并CS终末段缺如仅诊断为PLSVC2例，误诊为Raghib综合征1例。结论超声心动图结合右心超声造影可作为PLSVC引流入左房患者术前诊断的首选和筛选方法。     

Detection of persistent left superior vena cava by two-dimensional contrast echocardiography.

One hundred seventy adult patients with possible congenital or valvular heart disease underwent contrast two-dimensional echocardiographic examination as part of a precatheterization evaluation. Persistent left superior vena cava was detected in 5 patients, each of whom demonstrated an abnormally large coronary sinus. Injection of echocardiographic contrast material from a peripheral left arm vein resulted in early opacification of this structure before other right-side chambers, thus suggesting abnormal venous drainage. Persistent left superior vena cava was confirmed in all 5 patients at the time of catheterization and/or surgery.     

Left-sided superior vena cava: a not-so-unusual vascular anomaly discovered during central venous and pulmonary artery catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: To report our ICU experience with patients noted to have a left-sided superior vena cava after central venous and pulmonary artery catheterization. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Surgical ICUs in a University and Veterans Administration Medical Center. PATIENTS: Five patients who had insertion of central venous or pulmonary artery catheters were noted to have abnormal placement. RESULTS: Five patients were noted to have a left-sided superior vena cava that was not appreciated on preinsertion radiography after central venous (two patients) or pulmonary artery catheterization (three patients). The finding of left-sided superior vena cava was confirmed by computed tomography scan (one patient), transesophageal echocardiography (one patient), bolus contrast injection (two patients), and intraoperative inspection (one patient). CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided superior vena cava occurs infrequently, most often in association with a right-sided superior vena cava. It is often associated with cardiac septal defects. The intensivist should be aware of its occurrence in order to not mistake catheters placed in it as being present in the arterial circulation or malpositioned outside of the venous circulation.     

超声心动图在诊断新生儿期永存左上腔静脉中的价值

目的探讨超声心动图对新生儿期永存左上腔静脉的诊断价值。方法我院产前胎儿超声心动图检查时明确诊断或疑为永存左上腔静脉胎儿共11例,出生后再行超声心动图检查,总结永存左上腔静脉的声像图特征。结果 11例胎儿产后均明确诊断为永存左上腔静脉。超声图像表现为永存左上腔静脉全程可显示,位于主动脉弓左侧,由左颈内静脉与左锁骨下静脉交汇形成,呈"Y"形,近心端与冠状静脉窦相连;永存左上腔静脉血流频谱与右侧上腔静脉相一致。结论超声心动图对新生儿期引流入冠状静脉窦到右心房的永存左上腔静脉有较好的诊断价值。     

Clinical significance of persistent left superior vena cava diagnosed in fetal life.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) in fetuses with and without cardiac and extracardiac anomalies. METHODS: Charts and recorded images were reviewed from high-risk patients who underwent fetal echocardiography between January 2000 and December 2005. This retrospective study included 54 fetuses with confirmed PLSVC who were diagnosed based on the presence of an additional vessel identified to the left of the pulmonary artery in the three-vessel view of the heart. Associated congenital heart defects (CHDs), extracardiac abnormalities, including first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) thickness, and fetal/postnatal outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 5,737 referrals, 5,233 had a normal heart, and PLSVC was observed in 10 of these fetuses (0.2%; Group 1). CHDs were present in 504 and PLSVC was observed in 44 of these cases (9%). In the latter group, 18/44 (41%) fetuses had heterotaxy syndrome (Group 2) where the most common structural heart defects were atrioventricular septal defect and double-outlet right ventricle. Fetuses without heterotaxy syndrome (Group 3) accounted for 26/44 (59%) cases of CHDs associated with PLSVC. In this group of fetuses the most common CHDs were left outflow tract obstructive defects and conotruncal anomalies. Increased NT was observed in 29%, without differences among the three groups. The survival rates among fetuses in Groups 1, 2 and 3 were 100%, 44% and 50%, respectively. After excluding patients who underwent pregnancy termination, there were no significant differences in the survival rates among the groups, probably due to the small size of the samples. CONCLUSIONS PLSVC is associated with CHDs. The identification of PLSVC should prompt a thorough examination of the fetus to identify additional cardiac and extracardiac anomalies. The prognosis of affected fetuses largely depends on whether or not the PLSVC is associated with a CHD.     

Transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of the persistent left superior vena cava.

Three patients with suspected persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography underwent single-plane transesophageal echocardiography. In all three patients transverse cuts through right atrium and coronary sinus demonstrated the presence of PLSVC. Agitated contrast injection into the left antecubital vein opacified PLSVC and coronary sinus in all cases. Transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic echo in the diagnosis of PLSVC and associated cardiac anomalies.     

胎儿超声心动图在诊断永存左上腔静脉中的应用

目的 总结永存左上腔静脉胎儿超声心动图特征及临床意义.方法 对2008年5月至2011年1月在我院诊断为永存左上腔静脉的33例胎儿超声心动图表现进行总结分析,并与引产后病理或产后超声心动图诊断结果进行对照分析,总结永存左上腔静脉胎儿超声心动图特征及临床价值.结果 33例永存左上腔静脉胎儿中引产后病理或产后超声心动图证实32例,超声表现为:四腔观可见扩张的冠状静脉窦,三血管观在肺动脉左侧可见一圆形血管回声,为永存左上腔静脉,同时可见右上腔静脉变细,追踪走行可见其与冠状静脉窦相连续.其中18例为单发畸形(18/32,56.25%),14例合并其他畸形(7例合并心内畸形,2例合并心外畸形,5例同时合并心内和心外畸形).胎儿超声心动图将内脏反位综合征合并完全型房室间隔缺损误诊为同时合并永存左上腔静脉1例.结论 胎儿超声心动图是诊断永存左上腔静脉的可靠方法.永存左上腔静脉常合并其他畸形,产前超声发现永存左上腔静脉需进一步检查以排除其他合并畸形.