Authors

• Alisia Yuana Putri, Department Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga/Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
• Muhammad Surya Tiyantara, Department Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga/Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, IndonesiaFollow

Inferior Vena Cava–Left Atrial Connection Hidden Beneath Large Secundum Defect. A Case Report

Abstract

Inferior vena cava (IVC) drainage into left atrium is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly and may remain unrecognized when associated with a large atrial septal defect (ASD). A 35-year-old-man presented with progressive exertional dyspnea and fatigue. Transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization demonstrated a large secundum ASD with severe septal malalignment, while systemic venous drainage was interpreted as normal. During surgical ASD repair, an unexpected IVC-to-left atrium connection was identified and redirected to right atrium. Careful assessment of IVC inflow is essential in patients with large malaligned ASD despite normal oxygen saturation.

Recommended Citation

Putri, Alisia Yuana and Tiyantara, Muhammad Surya (2026) "Inferior Vena Cava–Left Atrial Connection Hidden Beneath Large Secundum Defect. A Case Report," Journal of the Saudi Heart Association: Vol. 38 : Iss. 4 , Article 1.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.37616/2212-5043.1534

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