DOI: 10.37616/2212-5043.1534 ISSN: 2212-5043

Inferior Vena Cava–Left Atrial Connection Hidden Beneath Large Secundum Defect. A Case Report

Alisia Yuana Putri, Muhammad Surya Tiyantara

Inferior vena cava (IVC) drainage into left atrium is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly and may remain unrecognized when associated with a large atrial septal defect (ASD). A 35-year-old-man presented with progressive exertional dyspnea and fatigue. Transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization demonstrated a large secundum ASD with severe septal malalignment, while systemic venous drainage was interpreted as normal. During surgical ASD repair, an unexpected IVC-to-left atrium connection was identified and redirected to right atrium. Careful assessment of IVC inflow is essential in patients with large malaligned ASD despite normal oxygen saturation.

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