Impact of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Detection in a Normal Neonatal Population through Echocardiography.

Background: Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a vascular anomaly that is usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally. The incidence of PLSVC has seldom been evaluated in normal populations. In this study, we determined the incidence of PLSVC in a normal neonatal population using transthoracic echocardiography. We also evaluated the associations between PLSVC and asymptomatic congenital heart diseases.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, we identified healthy neonates based on echocardiography results from 2008 to 2017. Based on the echocardiography findings, we categorized the patients into a PLSVC group and a control group (patients without PLSVC). Chi-square and logistic regression tests were used for data analysis.

Results: Of the 19,488 neonates assessed in this study, 56 were found to have PLSVC, and the remaining 19,432 neonates comprised the control group. The incidence of PLSVC was 0.29% in our population. In the PLSVC group, 3.6% of the patients exhibited bicuspid aortic valves, and 10.7% of the patients exhibited secundum-type atrial septal defects. Both the incidence and association of these conditions were higher in the PLSVC group than in the control group.

Conclusions: Based on the echocardiography examination results, we discovered that the incidence of PLSVC in Taiwanese neonates was 0.29%. Although the neonates with PLSVC were asymptomatic and exhibited no health concerns, they were associated with higher incidence rates of bicuspid aortic valves and secundum-type atrial defects. Additional follow-up and evaluation regarding these findings may be warranted.