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P01.06: Significance of left superior caval vein in the fetus
Author(s) -
Pasquini L.,
Fichera A.,
Tan T.,
Ho S. Y.,
Gardiner H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.1313
Subject(s) - medicine , fetus , autopsy , hypoplastic left heart syndrome , cardiology , obstetrics , population , heart disease , pregnancy , biology , genetics , environmental health
Objective: Left superior caval vein (LSVC) is reported in 0.3% to0.5% of the population at autopsy. LSVC is easily recognised duringfetal scanning but its significance is uncertain. We document theincidence, associations and outcome of LSVC in 1678 consecutivefetuses with suspected, or at increased risk of congenital heartdisease (CHD) referred to a fetal medicine unit for echocardiographybetween 1997 and 2002.Methods: Systematic ultrasound examination was made using 5transverse views (abdominal situs, 4 chamber, both outflow tractsand 3 vessel), colour flow mapping and pulsed Doppler. Diagnosiswas confirmed by postnatal echocardiography, surgery or autopsy.Both the odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence intervals) for CHD in thepresence of LSVC and the OR of the defect being coarctation (CoA)were calculated.Results: Four of the 1230 normal fetuses (0.3%) had a LSVCcompared with 12/448 (2.7%) fetuses with CHD. Hence the OR fora cardiac defect if LSVC was detected is 8.43 (2.71, 26.29). Four of16 fetuses (25%) with LSVC had extracardiac malformations andthree (19%) aneuploidy. LSVC was present in 5 of 10 fetuses (50%)with CoA. The OR of the CHD being a CoA in fetuses with LSVCwas 61.57 (14.48, 261.74).Conclusions: Persistent LSVC is not a benign finding in the fetusand is an indication for detailed echocardiography. It may aid in thediagnosis of fetal CoA