Cardiovascular Surgery and Interventions 2015, Vol 2, Num 2 Page(s): 033-035
Iatrogenic diversion of superior vena cava to left atrium after surgical repair of an atrial septal defect

Muhammet Akyüz, Onur Işık, Fatih Ayık, Yüksel Atay

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty of Ege University, İzmir, Turkey

Keywords: Atrial septal defect; iatrogenic; cyanosis; superior vena cava
Iatrogenic diversion of the superior vena cava (SVC) into the left atrium during closure surgery for an atrial septal defect (ASD) is an extremely rare complication. Herein, we describe a 34-year-old woman with cyanosis who was surgically treated for ASD accompanied by partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage one year prior. Following re-opening of the atrial defect, iatrogenic diversion of the SVC into the left atrium was intraoperatively identified. A Gore-Tex patch was inserted to divert the flow to the correct atrium.

DOI : 10.5606/e-cvsi.2015.230