[An unusual cause of hypoxia: anastomosis of the right superior vena cava into the left auricle. Surgical correction].

Abstract

Anomalies of drainage of the superior vena cava (S.V.C.) usually consists of a persistent left S.V.C. draining into the left auricle. Until now there has only been one published case of S.V.C. anastomosis with the left auricle. We describe a second case of a four year old boy who had undergone two operations for a recurrent cerebral abscess. This child presented with cyanosis, polycythaemia and arterial hypoxaemia. This abnormality is associated with a partially anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. Surgical correction using prosthetic and pericardial grafts enabled closure of the right to left shunt.