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. Previous research has shown that the probability of adverse pregnancy outcomes in isolated PLSVC is lower, and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes is significantly increased when combined with other malformations. In recent years, some studies have reported that the proportion of fetal chromosomal abnormalities among PLSVC fetuses has significantly increased, which is different from the classic opinion on this disease. There is a lack of comprehensive studies that provide reliable conclusions for patients and clinicians.
In recent years, the advancement of prenatal diagnostic technology has overturned traditional concepts of some diseases.
We integrated clinical information, imaging features, and molecular-level results to provide reliable advice to patients and clinicians in multiple dimensions.
We retrospectively collected cases of PLSVC diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography between September 2019 and November 2022. The clinical characteristics of the pregnant women, ultrasonic imaging information, gestational age at diagnosis, pregnancy outcomes, and amniocentesis results were summarized and analyzed.
The differences in pregnancy outcomes and amniocentesis conditions between the two groups were statistically significant (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. Additionally, all abnormal cytogenetic findings on amniocentesis were observed in the comorbidity group.
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. Integrated analysis of multiple levels could provide more information.
In future studies, researchers should collect more amniotic fluid cytological data and follow-up prognosis of related fetuses.