Rare Congenital Obstruction of the Inferior Vena Cava Diagnosed by Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography

• Authors: Mark Caridi-Scheible, Emory University; Robert Guyton, Emory University; Ellen Richter, Emory University; Kathryn Glas, Emory University
• Journal Title: Case :: Cardiovascular Imaging Case Reports
• Volume: Volume 4, Number 3
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2020-02-10, Pages 139-141
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.case.2020.01.003
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Radiology; Biology, Genetics
• Keywords: Vena cava; Obstructions; Congestive hepatopathy; Eustachian valve

Abstract

We present a case of rare congenital obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) outlet detected intraoperatively on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Lacking a better explanation, hepatic dysfunction had been attributed to primary presentation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with presumed diastolic heart failure. However, the intraoperative finding of IVC obstruction better explained hepatic disease, and concurrent repair was successful in resolving the hepatic dysfunction.