Cavo-Atrial Anastomosis Technique for Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection to the Superior Vena Cava—The Warden Procedure

After a sternotomy incision, the pericardium is widely opened. The right superior vena cava is circumferentially dissected out from the SVC–right atrial junction to the SVC–bridging left innominate vein junction. If the right SVC is small, the presence of a left superior vena cava should be as suspected. Bulbous enlargement of the superior vena cava at the cavo-atrial junction suggests partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The anomalous right pulmonary veins draining into the superior vena cava are carefully dissected out. Entry into the right pleural space occasionally will improve visualization of the anomalous right pulmonary veins. The azygos vein is also circumferentially dissected out. Ao = aorta; IVC = inferior vena cava; MPA = main pulmonary artery; RA = right atrium; RV = right ventricle; SA = sinoatrial; SVC = superior vena cava.

The azygos vein is doubly ligated and divided. Partial cardiopulmonary bypass is instituted after cannulation of the ascending aorta and the inferior vena cava. The superior vena cava cannula is inserted through the lateral wall of the right atrium and threaded into the right atrial appendage. The tip of the right atrial appendage is amputated and enlarged to the diameter of the cephalad superior vena cava. Complete excision of the trabeculae in the right atrial appendage enhances its expandability and reduces the risk of superior vena cava obstruction. Two vascular clamps are placed across the superior vena cava above the entrance of the highest anomalous right pulmonary vein. A transverse venotomy is made. SVC = superior vena cava.

The superior vena cava cannula is threaded out the atrial appendage and inserted through the transverse incision in the superior vena cava. Full cardiopulmonary bypass is established. The caval transection is completed. The caudad superior vena cava stump is oversewn above the insertion of the highest anomalous right pulmonary vein. The cephalad superior vena cava stump is sewn to the amputated right atrial appendage with running 5-0 prolene suture. RA = right atrium; SVC = superior vena cava.

Alternatively a venous cannula can be inserted directly into the high superior vena cava near the SVC–bridging left innominate vein junction.

If there is a persistent left superior vena cava, a venous cannula is also inserted into the left SVC. SVC = superior vena cava.

Hypothermic cardioplegic arrest is induced. A high right atriotomy exposes a sinus venosus atrial septal defect. Occasionally a small secundum ASD or PFO will also be present in the interatrial septum. The left-sided pulmonary veins should be identified returning into the left atrium. ASD = atrial septal defect; SA = sinoatrial.

The anomalous right pulmonary venous return is directed across the sinus venosus atrial septal defect into the left atrium by coaptation of the free edge of the atrial septal defect to the atrial wall just above the intracardiac orifice of the superior vena cava. ASD = atrial septal defect.

Alternatively a pericardial patch or a Gore-Tex patch can be used to redirect the anomalous pulmonary venous return into the left atrium.

If an atrial septal defect is not present, a defect in the interatrial septum can be created near the usual location of a sinus venosus atrial septal defect. The anomalous right pulmonary venous return can then be redirected into the left atrium by either of the described techniques. ASD = atrial septal defect.

The right atriotomy is then closed. This technique avoids incisions or suture lines in the area of the sinus node or the sinus node artery. RPA = right pulmonary artery; SA = sinoatrial.