Superior vena cava anomalies in the generation of angina pectoris: a report of two cases.

Superior vena cava anomalies are rare occurrences caused by variations in the development of the embryonic venous system. Persistent left superior vena cavae are the most common congenital aberrations in the thoracic venous system, with an incidence of 0.3-0.5%, but their association in the absence of a right superior vena cava is extremely rare and scarcely reported. We report two case studies describing persistent left superior vena cavae found with and without a right superior vena cava in patients presenting with chest pain. A discussion regarding superior vena cava abnormalities as well as the etiology, associations, and diagnosis of these unusual entities follows. Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.