1. A detailed angiographic study of the brachiocephalic veins of over 1500 people showed only one example of a subaortic vein,' while another angiographic study of the superior caval veins in 5 10 patients with congenital heart disease showed no such anomalies.' Sherman found two examples among 503 specimens of c-ongenitally malformed hearts' and we have encountered three cases out of approximately 2000 congenitally malformed hearts
2. Although not of clinical importance, its recognition during clinical investigation raises the possibility of an association with other malformations, especially right aortic arch, ventricular septal defects, and right ventricular outflow obstruction. Care must be taken not to confuse the structure with other arteries or veins-notably, the central pulmonary arteries in the presence of the pulmonary atresia or a venous confluence in anomalous pulmonary venous connection.' From the surgical viewpoint, the anomalous brachiocephalic vein may hinder access to the arterial duct during ductal ligation, or obscure the field in the construction of a subclavian to pulmonary shunt. Dissection in the region of the duct must be performed carefully to avoid damaging a subaortic vein
3. Superior vena cava and innominate veins: angiographic study;Roberts, JR, Dotter; CT, Steinberg; I.;Am J Roent,1951
4. Zur Morphologie der Vena Cava Inferior;Kershner, L.;Anat Anz
5. Superior vena caval abnormalities: their occurrence rate, associated cardiac abnormalities and angiographic classification in a paediatric population with congenital heart disease;Buirsky, G.; Jordan, S.C.; Joffe, H.S.; Wilde, P.;Clin Radiol,1986