Necessity for Evaluation of Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Before Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects

Abstract

About 10%-15% of patients with an atrial septal defect will have some form of anomalous pulmonary venous connection. With the advent of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects, it is imperative that presence of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return be excluded to prevent unnecessary percutaneous closure in patients who would ultimately require a surgical approach. The authors herein report a 29-year-old man who underwent percutaneous closure of 2 atrial septal defects but was later found to have his left upper pulmonary vein draining into the innominate vein via a vertical vein. He subsequently underwent surgical repair of the anomalous pulmonary vein.