Prenatal diagnoses of an uncommon isolated obstructed supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: Case report and review of the literature (CARE compliant)

Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Feb;96(5):e6061. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000006061.

Abstract

Introduction: Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is an uncommon congenital heart disease. Four types are described based on the site of pulmonary venous drainage: supracardiac, cardiac, infradiaphragmathic, and mixed connection. In most cases of supracardiac type, the common venous confluence drains through an ascending left vertical vein into the brachiocephalic vein, right superior vena cava, and then into the right atrium. Anomalous connection of the pulmonary venous confluence directly to the right SVC, especially the obstructed form is an unusual and severe supracardiac variant. The prenatal diagnosis is challenging.

Patient concerns: We present a case report of a fetus diagnosed with TAPVC at 23 gestational weeks.

Diagnosis interventions: The 4-chamber view showed a small left atrium, with a "smooth" posterior wall and the absence of pulmonary vein connection. This is the first case of prenatally diagnosed isolated, obstructed supracardiac type with drainage directly into the right superior vena cava.

Conclusion: The obstetrician and fetal cardiologist should be cautious at the direct and indirect echocardiographic signs of this condition. A prenatal diagnose of isolated, obstructed form is important for adequate planning of delivery and postnatal surgery in a tertiary center.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / embryology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Veins / embryology
  • Scimitar Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Scimitar Syndrome / embryology
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*