[Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return--detection of an isolated aberrant right upper pulmonary vein into the superior vena cava with biplanar transesophageal echocardiography].

We report on a case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in a patient (54 years old, female) examined for the cause of pulmonary hypertension. Biplane transesophageal echocardiography in conjunction with color-coded ultrasound technique revealed an aberrant vessel draining into the vena cava superior. The PW-Doppler pattern typical of venous flow and a lack of the upper right pulmonary vein connection into the left atrium allowed identification with the pulmonary venous system. This malconnection was not accompanied by associated anomalies, or defects of the atrial septum in particular. Invasive examination confirmed the echocardiographic results; with an angiographic catheter the opening of the right upper pulmonary vein into the superior vena cava was located exactly and depicted.