RESUMEN
Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) draining into the coronary sinus is not uncommon, but to the left atrium is a rare condition. Such anomaly may be a cause of unexplained hypoxia in all age groups. It is often diagnosed accidentally during cardiovascular diagnostic work-up or in a contest of other cardiac investigations. We report two cases of these rare PLSVC associations with subsequent medical and surgical management.
RESUMEN
Persistent left superior vena cava is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from the failure of the left cardinal vein to degenerate in utero. This anomaly was discovered in 0.3% of large autopsy examinations. Its most relevant clinical implication is the association with cardiac impulse formation and conduction problems. In the case of DDD pacemaker implantation for this anomaly, skillful manual stylet shaping is required or an active fixation device, for example a screw device for stable positioning of pacemaker leads, is needed. We experienced a case of sick sinus syndrome in a patient with persistent left superior and absent right superior vena cava in 72-year-old man. We successfully implanted a DDD type pacemaker through the left superior vena cava via coronary sinus. This is the first Korean report of a successfully implanted permanent pacemaker in a patient with persistent left superior and absent right superior vena cava.