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Transvenous Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Placement via a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava
Author(s) -
Pavlić Liesl K.,
Harken Alden H.,
Sethna Dhun
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of cardiac surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.428
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1540-8191
pISSN - 0886-0440
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8191.2007.00361.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intracardiac injection , persistent left superior vena cava , transvenous pacing , ventricle , implantable cardioverter defibrillator , coronary sinus , defibrillation , catheter , surgery , cardiology
Background: Persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) is relatively uncommon. Due to its unanticipated location, large vessel injury is disproportionately common during transvenous intracardiac device implantion. Aim: The purposes of this report are: (1) to remind surgeons/physicians of this (LSVC) anatomic abnormality and, (2) to reassure surgeons/physicians that successful dysarrhythmia rescue is feasible with intracardiac defibrillator devices despite the obligate atypical anatomic positioning of the defibrillator electrodes. Case Summary: Catheter position in an LSVC appears fluoroscopically to traverse the left pleural space. The transvenous lead must negotiate a U‐turn to enter the right ventricle. Conclusion: Despite the unconventional configuration of the intracardiac electrodes necessitated by the anatomy of a persistent LSVC, successful defibrillation is possible.