Persistent left superior vena cava: Implications for Anaesthesiologist

Abstract

A chest radiograph is a commonly accepted method for confirming the position of a central venous catheter and to rule out immediate complications related to central venous access. Congenital variation in the venous anatomy is an uncommon reason for central venous catheter malposition and may be incidentally detected on imaging after central venous catheter placement. The condition described in this letter is called persistent left superior vena cava. The catheter in this condition is seen on the left side of the cardiac shadow on a chest radiograph and non-cardiovascular anesthesiologists working in rural areas may not be well aware of it.