Persistent left superior vena cava – an anomaly to remember

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common anomaly involving central venous return in thorax. Anatomically it is a mirror image of the right superior vena cava and is usually asymptomatic but can cause difficulties during Swan-Ganz catheterisation and insertion of pacing systems. This article presents a comprehensive review of this anomaly and clinical scenarios in which it can prove problematic, illustrated by an example.