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

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Authors: Oana Florentina Gheorghe Fronea, Mircea Robu, Sebastian Onciul, Claudia Nica, Cristian Voica, Robert Țigănașu, Gabriel-Petre Gorecki, Horatiu MOLDOVAN
Cited by: 0
References: 18

Abstract

Background: 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. Case Presentation: 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. Conclusions: 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.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Congenital Heart Disease Studies Vascular anomalies and interventions Coronary Artery Anomalies

Publication details

Journal / source
Life
Volume
16
Issue
2
Pages
342–342
Publication date
16 February 2026
Language
EN