Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Hematological Malignancy Requiring Central Venous Catheter Insertion for Intensive Chemotherapy

Case Rep Oncol. 2015 Nov 4;8(3):478-81. doi: 10.1159/000441836. eCollection 2015 Sep-Dec.

Abstract

Persistent left superior vena cava is a congenital vascular anomaly, which is possibly arrhythmogenic and thrombogenic, rarely complicated with coronary sinus atresia. We treated a 42-year-old male with Hodgkin's lymphoma requiring central venous catheter placement for intensive chemotherapy. Persistent left superior vena cava was revealed after the insertion of the central venous catheter by the radiological finding of the catheter tip cannulated into the vena cava cavity. The relationship between coronary sinus atresia and persistent left superior vena cava induced by central venous catheterization remains unclear; however, the hematologist should pay attention to the malpositioning of the central venous catheter.

Keywords: Central venous catheter; Chemotherapy; Coronary sinus atresia; Hematological malignancy; Persistent left superior vena cava.

Publication types

  • Case Reports