Late Diagnosis of Unroofed Coronary Sinus Associated with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Patient with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Case Report

<b>Background:</b> An unroofed coronary sinus (UCS) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, accounting for less than 1% of atrial septal defects and frequently associated with a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Its coexistence with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is exceptionally uncommon and has been reported almost exclusively in isolated case reports. <b>Case Presentation:</b> We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with a history of surgically corrected TOF in infancy, who presented with progressive exertional dyspnea. Multimodality imaging, including transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a large atrial-level shunt caused by a type I unroofed coronary sinus associated with a persistent left superior vena cava, leading to significant right-sided chamber dilation and pulmonary hypertension. Notably, this anomaly had not been identified at the time of the initial TOF repair. The patient underwent a successful surgical correction with interatrial compartmentation and tricuspid annuloplasty, with an uneventful postoperative course. <b>Conclusions:</b> This case underscores the extreme rarity of the UCS-TOF association and highlights the potential for UCSs with PLSVC to remain clinically silent for years after complex congenital heart surgery. A comprehensive reassessment of the systemic venous and atrial anatomy using advanced multimodality imaging is essential in symptomatic adults with repaired TOF, as late-presenting venous anomalies may have significant hemodynamic and clinical implications.

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Journal
Life
Published
2026-02-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/life16020342
Primary Topic
Vascular anomalies and interventions
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article
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article

Late Diagnosis of Unroofed Coronary Sinus Associated with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Patient with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Case Report

Horatiu MOLDOVAN, Cristian Voica, Oana Gheorghe‐Fronea, Sebastian Onciul et al.
Life
Vascular anomalies and interventions
article

Late Diagnosis of Unroofed Coronary Sinus Associated with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in Patient with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Case Report

Horatiu MOLDOVAN, Cristian Voica, Oana Gheorghe‐Fronea, Sebastian Onciul, Robert Țigănașu, Claudia Nica, Mircea Robu, Gabriel-Petre Gorecki
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> An unroofed coronary sinus (UCS) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, accounting for less than 1% of atrial septal defects and frequently associated with a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). Its coexistence with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is exceptionally uncommon and has been reported almost exclusively in isolated case reports. <b>Case Presentation:</b> We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with a history of surgically corrected TOF in infancy, who presented with progressive exertional dyspnea. Multimodality imaging, including transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, revealed a large atrial-level shunt caused by a type I unroofed coronary sinus associated with a persistent left superior vena cava, leading to significant right-sided chamber dilation and pulmonary hypertension. Notably, this anomaly had not been identified at the time of the initial TOF repair. The patient underwent a successful surgical correction with interatrial compartmentation and tricuspid annuloplasty, with an uneventful postoperative course. <b>Conclusions:</b> This case underscores the extreme rarity of the UCS-TOF association and highlights the potential for UCSs with PLSVC to remain clinically silent for years after complex congenital heart surgery. A comprehensive reassessment of the systemic venous and atrial anatomy using advanced multimodality imaging is essential in symptomatic adults with repaired TOF, as late-presenting venous anomalies may have significant hemodynamic and clinical implications.

LifeVol. 16(2)
Titu Maiorescu University (RO), Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO), Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO), Academia Oamenilor de Știință din România (RO)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 54%
Vascular anomalies and interventions
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