Complete type persistent left cranial vena cava with patent ductus arteriosus in a Bichon Frise dog

Abstract

Persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) is a remnant vessel connected with the coronary sinus and draining into the right atrium. A 3-month-old intact male Bichon Frise was evaluated for the presence of a mechanical murmur auscultation in the local animal hospital. No significant clinical signs were present on physical examination except mechanical murmur. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed in the imaging procedure. During the left thoracotomy, PLCVC was found. The vascular malformation made the surgical process difficult by hiding PDA from the left thoracotomy surgical view. PLCVC and the vagus nerve was carefully dissected and lifted to secure a clear surgical view of PDA. The ductus arteriosus was ligated. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed postoperatively. On CTA, left brachiocephalic vein retaining connection with the coronary sinus draining into the right atrium was observed. CTA is highly recommended for dogs with PDA to provide better postoperative results.

Case report: A novel occurrence of persistent left cranial vena cava coexisting with polycystic kidney disease in a cat

“…In humans and dogs, PLCVC is sometimes found incidentally during echocardiography, central venous catheterization, and surgical procedures ( 2 , 6 , 8 , 18 , 19 ). The available literature on cats primarily focuses on their anatomical characteristic ( 1 , 20–24 ), with limited reports on its effects on the heart based on echocardiographic features or disease progression.…”

“…PLSVC is the most frequently identified congenital thoracic vascular anomaly in humans, with a prevalence ranging from 0.2 to 3% in the general population, increasing to 1.3 to 11% in individuals with congenital heart disease (3,5). It has also been reported in several animal species, including dogs, with relatively few occurrences in cats (1,(6)(7)(8). In dogs, the prevalence of incidentally detected asymptomatic PLCVC was reported to be 2.6% in a study that used thoracic computed tomography (CT) examination for reasons unrelated to cardiac anomalies (9).…”

“…PLCVC has been reported to occur along with cardiovascular anomalies, although it may also occur independently (1,4,(6)(7)(8)10). If a PLCVC persists without other cardiac anomalies, it is mostly asymptomatic and may be identified incidentally (1,2,6).…”