BILATERAL INFERIOR VENA-CAVA WITH AZYGOS CONTINUATION BUT WITHOUT CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE COMPLICATES ROUTINE VENOUS CANNULATION FOR CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS IN AN ADULT

Attempted Venous cannulation with a dual-stage cannula for cardiopulmo nary bypass in routine coronary revascularization led to the discovery of an abnormal inferior vena cava in a 65-year-old patient. The opera tive and postoperative course of the patient were not affected by the inferior caval anomaly. The detailed infradiaphragmatic venous anatomy was elucidated later by MRI and showed bilateral inferior caval veins with azygos continuation. Although this malformation of the inferior cava is rare in adults, the occurrence should be known. Quick recognit ion and handling should be achieved if detected during cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass.