Vena Cava

Definition: What is it? Persistent left common cardinal vein Incidence: <1% overall, 3-10% in kids with congenital heart disease. Anatomy: Left brachiocephalic vein often absent.

Quick Take: Symptoms: facial/neck edema, Jugular vein distention (JVD), headache. Potentially life threatening if progression to laryngeal edema. Etiology/Causes: lung cancer (80%), catheter-related stenosis/thrombosis, fibrosing