Cardiac defibrillator implantation via persistent left superior vena cava – sometimes this approach is facile. A case report

We report a case of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) incidentally recognized during the implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. PLSVC is the most common venous anomaly of the thorax and drains into the right atrium. There are a lot of publications reporting success of pacemaker or defibrillator lead implantations via PLSVC. In this article we present the technique of approaching the right ventricle and right atrium via PLSVC; sometimes this method can be as straightforward as the classical way. Therefore, if PLSVC is recognized intra-operatively, we suggest continuing left-sided implantation, and considering a right venous access only in case of failure.