Superior and inferior vena cava flow velocity in patients with anomalous pulmonary vein connection.

The superior and inferior vena cava flow velocities (SVC and IVC flow velocities) of 3 patients with anomalous pulmonary vein connection were recorded with the Doppler flowmeter catheter. The cases consisted of a patient with partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection to the SVC (Case 1), one with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the SVC (Case 2), and one with partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection to the IVC (Case 3). The SVC and IVC recordings of these patients were compared with those of 10 normal subjects, 20 patients with atrial septal defect and 150 patients with other heart diseases. The SVC and IVC flow velocities in the latter group of 180 patients showed a biphasic pattern, having systolic (S) and diastolic (D) waves, the peak S wave occurring around midsystole. In Cases 1 and 2, the SVC flow velocity showed a markedly delayed peak S wave, similar to the pattern of the pulmonary vein flow velocity; this pattern was also seen in the IVC flow velocity in Case 3. This abnormal pattern could be useful in diagnosing anomalous pulmonary vein connection.