Abnormalities of the Systemic and Pulmonary Veins

Abnormalities of the systemic and pulmonary veins can occur in isolation or in conjunction with other congenital heart defects. When venous anomalies present in isolation it can be particularly difficult to detect them during routine fetal anomaly scans as these are relatively small extra-cardiac structures. However, advances in ultrasound technology with higher resolution on 2D and colour Doppler ultrasound have facilitated and improved prenatal detection. The systemic venous variations and abnormalities, which will be discussed in this chapter include persistent left superior vena cava, interrupted inferior vena cava and agenesis of the ductus venosus. Anomalies of the pulmonary veins including total or partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections may be difficult to diagnose in isolation. Disorders of laterality which can be associated with systemic and/or pulmonary venous abnormalities as well as intracardiac defects will also be addressed.