Cardiovascular
Medicine
septal defect partial anomalous pulmonary vein return

Sinus venosus atrial septal defect with partial anomalous pulmonary vein return, diagnostic approach of this rare entity.

Images in Cardiovascular Medicine
septal defect partial anomalous pulmonary vein return
Renata Wojtal
Additional authors
Andres Spirig, Tim Ohletz, Laurent Haegeli, Tobias Fuchs
Issue
2022/04
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4414/cvm.2022.02215
Cardiovasc Med. 2022;25:w02215

Published on 01.07.2022

A 44-year-old patient was initially referred for routine cardiac evaluation, because of family history of sudden cardiac death.

Case description

Diagnostic approach to this rare entity
We report a 44-year-old patient, who was initially referred for routine cardiac evaluation, because of family history of sudden cardiac death and a probable new onset of a right bundle branch block (RBBB) on a regular electrocardiogram (ECG) (fig. 1). He stated that he had no cardiac or pulmonary symptoms. In particular, he denied previous unexpected syncope, palpitations or chest pain.
Figure 1:
ECG with right bundle branch block.
On transthoracic echocardiography, a normal left ventricular ejection fraction of 55% was found without any wall motion abnormalities. Furthermore, dilatation of the right ventricle with systolic dysfunction was found (fractional area change - FAC 33%) with preserved longitudinal function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion - TAPSE 24 mm, S’ 14 cm/s) (fig. 2).
Figure 2:
Transthoracic echocardiography showing right ventricular dilatation.
The patient had a family history of a sudden cardiac death and the possibility of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) was initially raised. Advanced cardiac imaging was performed for further evaluation.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) (figs 3 and 4) revealed a significant left to right shunt (Qp:Qs = 2:0) caused by a superior sinus venous defect with an anomalous right upper and right middle pulmonary vein connection, as shown in the special CT-based, 3D reconstructed pictures (figs 5 and 6). Furthermore, consistent with the initial echocardiography findings significant right ventricle dilatation and decreased systolic function were detected (fig. 7).
Figure 3:
Result of two dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging flow measurement, perpendicular to the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery.
Figure 4:
Graph with phase contrast magnetic resonance flow curves in the ascending and pulmonary artery.
Figure 5:
3D reconstruction with volume rendering of computed tomography (CT) scan-posterior view- showing the partial anomalous drainage of the right and middle pulmonary vein into the superior vena cava (arrow).
Figure 6:
3D reconstruction with volume rendering of computed tomography (CT) scan-lateral view- showing the partial anomalous drainage of the right and middle pulmonary vein into the superior vena cava (arrow).
Figure 7:
Short axis cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) CMR images, showing significant right heart dilatation.
The transoesophageal echocardiography showed a partial anomalous connection of the right upper pulmonary vein into the superior vena cava and, in addition, a superior sinus venous defect (13 × 17 mm) was confirmed, resulting in the significant left to right shunt. Apart from that, the accessory right middle pulmonary vein connected to superior vena cava and normal connection of the left pulmonary veins and right lower pulmonary vein was identified (fig. 8).
Figure 8:
Transoesophageal echocardiography showing sinus venosus atrial septal defect.
To rule out pulmonary hypertension before planning surgery, right and left heart catheterisation was scheduled (fig. 9). Fortunately only mild post-capillary pulmonary hypertension was detected (PVR 0.3 Woods, Wedge 16 mm Hg and PA 22 mm Hg). As expected, measurement, elevated oxygen saturation in the right atrium and pulmonary artery was found.
Figure 9:
Right heart catheterisation showing an elevated saturation in the pulmonary artery.
Coronary artery disease and coronary anomaly were ruled out with coronary computed tomography angio­graphy (fig. 10).
Figure 10:
3D reconstruction of a cardiac CT scan showing the anatomy of the coronary arteries.

Discussion

Superior sinus venosus defect remains after secundum atrial septal defect (ASD ) and primum atrial septal defect, the third most common congenital lesion and it is found in 5% of all cases [1]. It is associated with partial or complete anomalous drainage of the right pulmonary veins into the superior vena cava or right atrium in about 80–90% [2].
Isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a rare congenital anomaly. The first report of anomalous vein drainage was by Winslow in 1739 [3]. It is found in <1% of the population [4]. Right-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections into the superior vena cava are the most common (90% right vs. 17% left) [5]. An ASD should be evaluated in every patient with suspected pulmonary hypertension and right ventricle dilatation.
In most cases the partial pulmonary venous connection is found incidentally in computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to lack of clinical symptoms. The total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is seen in about 1–5% of congenital heart diseases and can in young age cause early cyanosis and death [6]. Pulmonary veins are also an origin of supraventricular arrhythmias and the knowledge of anoma­lous pulmonary venous drainage is essential for planning of interventions including catheter ablation [7].
Unrepaired anomalous pulmonary venous connection with a significant shunt leads slowly to increase in the pulmonary vascular resistance and development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. If an atrial septal defect is also present, finally it comes to the shunt reversal and formation of an Eisenmenger physiology, which is connected with high surgical risk and is one of the contraindications of further surgical repair [1].
Echocardiography is the initial diagnostic tool in the evaluation of any congenital heart disease. Because of limited field of views and picture quality, this technique is in most of cases insufficient to detect the anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The right heart catheterization represents the gold standard for assessing the pulmonary hemodynamics and detection of the possible shunt location by exposure of step up in oxygen saturation.
The CT scan is providing an excellent additional diagnostic benefit including the 3 dimensional reconstructed images (videos 1 und 2). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) helps to detect a complex anatomy and more importantly to quantify the shunt size, especially when invasive tests are not conclusive.
Patients newly diagnosed with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections should be referred to a special grown up cardiac heart disease center (GUCH) for evaluation of corrective surgery. According to the 2020 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology for the management of GUCH patients, the septal defect closure should be evaluated in case of significant shunt (Qp:Qs >1,5) and pulmonary vascular resistance between 3–5 Wood units (class IIA indication) [1], and is recommended (class IB indication) in evidence of RV volume overload and no signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension or left ventricle disease [1].
In our case after careful consideration and interdisciplinary evaluation with colleagues from the grown up cardiac heart disease centre (GUCH) the patient was sent for further evaluation of an invasive management.
The patient underwent a repair operation including xeno-pericardial patch closure of the sinus venosus defect and reestablishment of the pulmonary circulation.
Dr Renata Wojtal, MD
Department of Cardiology
Kantonsspital Aarau AG
Tellstrasse 25
CH-5001 Aarau
renata.wojtal[at]ksa.ch
1. . 2020 ESC Guidelines for the management of adult congenital heart disease. Eur Heart J. 2021 Feb;42(6):563–645. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa554 PubMed
2. . Isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous return with intact atrial septum: a rare but treatable cause of pulmonary hypertension in adults. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014 Jul;15(7):830. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jet289 PubMed
3. Winslow, J. Mem. Acad. Roy. d. Sc. Paris: 1739. p. 113
4. . Isolated Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: Development of Volume Overload and Elevated Estimated Pulmonary Pressure in Adults. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2019 Jun;9:29. http://dx.doi.org/10.25259/JCIS-8-2019 PubMed
5.  Clinical implications of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection: a rare cause of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ. 2020 Mar;10(1):2045894019885352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2045894019885352 PubMed
6. . Congenital Heart Surgery Nomenclature and Database Project: systemic venous anomalies. Ann Thorac Surg. 2000 Apr;69(4 Suppl):S70–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0003-4975(99)01238-2   http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01238-2 PubMed
7. . Anomalous pulmonary vein drainage: a pictorial essay with a CT focus. Journal of Congenital Cardiology. 2017;1(7):1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40949-017-0008-4

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