Published online Oct 26, 2023. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v15.i10.500
Peer-review started: July 9, 2023
First decision: August 17, 2023
Revised: August 29, 2023
Accepted: September 28, 2023
Article in press: September 28, 2023
Published online: October 26, 2023
Processing time: 106 Days and 15.6 Hours
Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common venous system variant. The clinical characteristics and amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses with PLSVC remain to be further explored.
To develop reliable prenatal diagnostic recommendations through integrated analysis of the clinical characteristics of fetuses with PLSVC.
Cases of PLSVC diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography between September 2019 and November 2022 were retrospectively studied. The clinical characteristics of the pregnant women, ultrasonic imaging information, gestational age at diagnosis, pregnancy outcomes, and amniocentesis results were summarized and analyzed using categorical statistics and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.
Of the 97 cases diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, 49 (50.5%) had isolated PLSVC and 48 (49.5%) had other structural abnormalities. The differences in pregnancy outcomes and amniocentesis conditions between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). No significant differences were identified between the two groups in terms of advanced maternal age and gestational age (P > 0.05). According to the results of the classification statistics, the most common intracardiac abnormality was a ventricular septal defect and the most common extracardiac abnormality was a single umbilical artery. In the subgroup analysis, the concurrent combination of intra- and extracardiac structural abnormalities was a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes (odds ratio > 1, P < 0.05). Additional
Examination for other structural abnormalities is strongly recommended when PLSVC is diagnosed. Poorer pregnancy outcomes and increased amniocentesis were observed in PLSVC cases with other structural abnor
Core Tip: Our study was performed for providing reliable prenatal diagnostic advice through integrated analysis of the clinical characteristics of fetuses with persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). We retrospectively studied 97 cases of PLSVC diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography. Of the 97 cases diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, 49 (50.5%) had isolated PLSVC and 48 (49.5%) had other structural abnormalities. We found that PLSVC is associated with a certain percentage of other combined structural abnormalities. Examination for other structural abnormalities is strongly recommended when PLSVC is diagnosed. Poorer pregnancy outcomes and increased amniocentesis were observed in PLSVC cases with other structural abnormalities.