Lee S S, Hadengue A, Braillon A, Lebrec D
Unite de Recherches de Physiopathologie Hepatique, INSERM U 24, Hopital Beaujon, Clichy, France.
Angiology. 1990 Nov;41(11):942-5. doi: 10.1177/000331979004101108.
Azygos venous flow can be measured by a thermodilution catheter in patients with cirrhosis. This is a useful technique since azygos flow is thought to reflect the superior portosystemic collateral flow in these patients. The authors report 3 cases in which mistaken internal mammary vein cannulation mimicked azygos vein cannulation in the supine fluoroscopic view. A lateral fluoroscopic view confirmed internal mammary cannulation. They suggest that if the azygos arch is unpronounced or flow measurements are unexpectedly low in patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, a lateral view be performed to rule out internal mammary vein cannulation.
