Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T00:23:47.734Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Anomalous subaortic course of the left brachiocephalic (innominate) vein: echocardiographic diagnosis and report of an unusual association

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2006

Samira Morhy Borges Leal
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Jose L. Andrade
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Mirna de Souza
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Andressa Mussi Soares
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Glaucia M. Penha Tavares
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Jorge Yussef Afiune
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Vitor Coimbra Guerra
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Lea M. Ferreira Demarchi
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Wilson Mathias
Affiliation:
Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Subaortic left brachiocephalic, or innominate, vein is an uncommon finding in congenital heart disease, usually associated with obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. We describe our experience with 14 patients in whom the lesion was identified echocardiographically, 12 of them with right ventricular obstruction, one with totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection in the absence of obstruction to the right ventricular outflow tract, and the final one with a normal heart. A precise diagnosis of this venous anomaly is of great importance, since it needs to be differentiated from a central pulmonary artery, a pulmonary venous confluence, or an ascending vertical vein in totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection. In patients referred for surgery without catheterization, an incorrect echocardiographic diagnosis could lead to disastrous surgical results.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)