Attempted venous cannulation with a dual-stage cannula for cardiopulmonary bypass in routine coronary revascularization led to the discoveryof an abnormal inferior vena cava in a 65-year-old patient. The operative 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 recognition and handling should be achieved if detected during cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass.
Anomalous systemic venous drainage - Cardiopulmonary bypass - V. cava abnormalities - MR imaging - Coronary artery bypass grafting
