Rare case of right ventricular dilatation associated with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, sinus venosus atrial septal defect and persistent left superior vena cava. Issue 1 (11th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rees, Stephanie; Tahir, Muhammad; Ahmad, Syed Jawad; Subkovas, Eduardas
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 14:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-11
• Subjects: cardiovascular medicine -- congenital disorders; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-239687
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 34-year-old woman was seen in the emergency department for shortness of breath and chest pain. During a pandemic, it is easy to 'think horses and not zebras', and with a patient presenting with the classic coronavirus symptoms it would have been easy to jump to that as her diagnosis. After a careful history and examination, it became clear that there was another underlying diagnosis. Chest X-ray, echocardiogram and CT scan revealed marked right ventricular dilatation and pulmonary hypertension, alongside a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Further investigation with cardiac MRI and coronary angiography at a tertiary centre demonstrated that she not only have a PLSVC but also a partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and sinus venosus atrial septal defect. This case highlights the importance of considering all differentials and approaching investigations in a logical manner.