Prenatal diagnosis of Type I persistent left superior vena cava and its correlation with congenital cardiac comorbidities.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the occurrence of the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) anomaly and evaluate its postpartum outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 425 pregnant women carrying singleton foetuses diagnosed with PLSVC. Comprehensive data on maternal characteristics and postpartum outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

Among the cohort, 307 foetuses (72.2%) were diagnosed with isolated PLSVC, while 118 (27.8%) presented with PLSVC in conjunction with other structural and/or chromosomal abnormalities. The cardiovascular system exhibited the highest incidence of malformations, followed by single umbilical artery (SUA), and abnormalities of the digestive and urinary systems. Foetuses with PLSVC and additional abnormalities had poorer outcomes. The most common cardiovascular abnormality was right heart enlargement, followed by ventricular septal defect (VSD) and either coarctation of the aorta (COA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA).

CONCLUSIONS

Upon diagnosing PLSVC in a foetus, a thorough structural examination is essential. Particular attention should be paid to evaluating the cardiovascular system and identifying the presence of SUA. If associated malformations are detected, continuous monitoring of the right heart, ventricles, and aortic arch is advised to screen for complications such as right heart enlargement, VSD, COA, or IAA.