Echo Doppler detection of external compression of the vertical vein causing obstruction in total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

External obstruction of the pulmonary venous return was detected by two-dimensional (2-D) and pulsed Doppler echocardiography and was confirmed by angiography and at surgery in two infants with isolated supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) to the left vertical vein. In both infants, the left vertical vein ascended behind the left pulmonary artery and anterior to the left main stem bronchus. This arrangement produces mechanical obstruction to both vertical vein flow and pulmonary venous drainage. Early detection and surgical correction of obstructed pulmonary venous return are necessary to prevent severe right-sided heart failure and death. Doppler echocardiography is recommended when evaluating infants with TAPVC for possible anatomic or mechanical obstruction to pulmonary venous return.