Systemic to pulmonary venous shunt in superior vena cava occlusion.

This report describes systemic-to-pulmonary venous connections at the pleural level resulting from superior vena cava occlusion. The interval development of new venous collaterals within a 3-year period represents an advanced manifestation of SVC occlusion in this patient with a history of pleural disease. In this case, progressive venous thrombosis caused by underlying hypercoaguability led to the development of collaterals in unusual sites, including systemic-to-pulmonary venous shunting, and resulting in progressive cyanosis and death.