Analysis of the positional relationship between the left brachiocephalic vein and its surrounding vessels via computed tomography scan: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to clarify the positional relationship between the left brachiocephalic vein and its surrounding vessels and to analyse the association between this positional relationship and ageing. Method Chest contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed for 100 adults. The contact number between left brachiocephalic vein and surrounding vessels (aorta, brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery) was determined. The correlations of ageing with the cross-sectional areas of left brachiocephalic vein crossing brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery and peripheral end of left brachiocephalic vein were analysed. Results LBV was in contact with aorta in 19, brachiocephalic artery in 97, left common carotid artery in 90 and left subclavian artery in 21 patients. There were significant negative correlations of ageing with the cross-sectional areas of left brachiocephalic vein crossing brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery and peripheral end of left brachiocephalic vein. Conclusions Brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery have easy contact with left brachiocephalic vein. There was a negative relationship between the cross-sectional area of left brachiocephalic vein and age.

Lokalne zaburzenie drożności lewej żyły ramienno-głowowej podczas cyklu oddechowego przez potencjalny czynnik inicjacji zmian pozakrzepowych po zabiegach implantacji wszczepialnego urządzenia do elektroterapii serca czy wprowadzeniu cewnika do żyły centralnej

“…In the data evaluated as part of the present study, the phenomenon of LBCV compression was observed in patients of advanced age, with severe LBCV compression detected at the sites of the vessel's contact with the BCT and/or left CCA. A retrospective analysis of 100 CT images by Mitsuoka et al demonstrated analogous locations of the points of direct contact between the LBCV and the adjacent arteries (the BCT in 97 cases, the left CCA in 90 cases, and the left SA several times less commonly) [3].…”

“…A favourable spatial relationship of the LBCV with the sternum and with the aortic arch [or its branches: the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT), left common carotid artery (CCA), and left subclavian artery (SA)] facilitates uneventful CIED or CVC placement [2][3][4].…”

The different forms of the left brachiocephalic vein visualised during cardiovascular implantable electronic device implantation procedures

“…The most typical left BCV topography involves the vein coursing above the aortic arch (AA) and anterior to its branches (the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. Once it crosses to the right side of the upper mediastinum, the left BCV joins the right BCV to form the SVC [4].…”

“…Performing minimally invasive transvenous procedures, such as cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation, facilitates making observations as to the individual differences in vessel layout. These differences can be due to either normal anatomical variations or developmental anomalies [1,2,3,4].…”