A persistent left superior vena cava occurs in 0.5% of the normal population and 3% to 43% of patients with congenital heart anomalies.
The embryological development of the superior vena cava (SVC) is complex. If the left common cardinal vein fails to occlude it can, along with the left duct of Cuvier form a left SVC, which frequently drains into the coronary sinus. This may result in abnormalities in the anatomy of this structure. A persistent left SVC occurs in 05% of the normal population, and 3% to 43% of patients with congenital heart anomalies.
David Morgan (Mon,) conducted a other in Anomalies of cardiac venous drainage. A persistent left superior vena cava occurs in 0.5% of the normal population and 3% to 43% of patients with congenital heart anomalies.