open access

Vol 82, No 1 (2023)
Original article
Submitted: 2021-10-06
Accepted: 2021-11-10
Published online: 2021-11-26
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The different forms of the left brachiocephalic vein visualised during cardiovascular implantable electronic device implantation procedures

R. Steckiewicz1, P. Stolarz2, B. Lange
·
Pubmed: 34845716
·
Folia Morphol 2023;82(1):127-136.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Cardiology, Central University Hospital in Warsaw, Poland
  2. 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland

open access

Vol 82, No 1 (2023)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2021-10-06
Accepted: 2021-11-10
Published online: 2021-11-26

Abstract

Background: Among the factors ensuring successful completion of such minimally invasive procedures as cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation and central venous catheter (CVC) placement are the morphometry and topography of the vessels used for cardiac lead or catheter advancement. Venous access through the left clavipectoral triangle makes use of the left brachiocephalic vein (BCV). The purpose of this study was to present the radiology images of various individual forms of this vessel observed during CIED implantation procedures.
Materials and methods: Our analysis included 100 venography recordings illustrating the left BCV, obtained during de novo CIED implantation procedures. We assessed the mediastinal course of the left BCV, with its natural angles, including angle α (in the middle section of the vessel) and the two angles created by the left BCV and the left subclavian vein (angle β) and the left BCV and the superior vena cava (angle γ).
Results: The mean values of angle α tended to be higher (approximately 141°) than those of the two remaining angles (γ and β), which were comparable at 123° and 127°, respectively. An increase in mean angle α values were accompanied by increased mean angle γ and β values (p = 0.05), with only 5% of β and γ angles, in total, having values close to those of a right angle (90 ± 10º).
Conclusions: Individual variability of left BCV topography and morphology comes from developmental formation of the physiological angle in the middle section of this mediastinal vessel’s course. The presence of near-right angles along the course of left BCV may potentially result in injuries to the vessel during intravascular procedures.

Abstract

Background: Among the factors ensuring successful completion of such minimally invasive procedures as cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation and central venous catheter (CVC) placement are the morphometry and topography of the vessels used for cardiac lead or catheter advancement. Venous access through the left clavipectoral triangle makes use of the left brachiocephalic vein (BCV). The purpose of this study was to present the radiology images of various individual forms of this vessel observed during CIED implantation procedures.
Materials and methods: Our analysis included 100 venography recordings illustrating the left BCV, obtained during de novo CIED implantation procedures. We assessed the mediastinal course of the left BCV, with its natural angles, including angle α (in the middle section of the vessel) and the two angles created by the left BCV and the left subclavian vein (angle β) and the left BCV and the superior vena cava (angle γ).
Results: The mean values of angle α tended to be higher (approximately 141°) than those of the two remaining angles (γ and β), which were comparable at 123° and 127°, respectively. An increase in mean angle α values were accompanied by increased mean angle γ and β values (p = 0.05), with only 5% of β and γ angles, in total, having values close to those of a right angle (90 ± 10º).
Conclusions: Individual variability of left BCV topography and morphology comes from developmental formation of the physiological angle in the middle section of this mediastinal vessel’s course. The presence of near-right angles along the course of left BCV may potentially result in injuries to the vessel during intravascular procedures.

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Keywords

left brachiocephalic vein, anatomic variation, venography, cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED), central venous catheter (CVC), risk factors, anatomical factors

About this article
Title

The different forms of the left brachiocephalic vein visualised during cardiovascular implantable electronic device implantation procedures

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 82, No 1 (2023)

Article type

Original article

Pages

127-136

Published online

2021-11-26

Page views

3243

Article views/downloads

779

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2021.0131

Pubmed

34845716

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2023;82(1):127-136.

Keywords

left brachiocephalic vein
anatomic variation
venography
cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)
central venous catheter (CVC)
risk factors
anatomical factors

Authors

R. Steckiewicz
P. Stolarz
B. Lange

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