Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD) exists when one or more of the pulmonary veins drain to the left atrium while the other vein is connected to the right atrium. The result is that some oxygen-rich blood is returned to the right atrium and mixes with venous blood, and is then returned to the lungs instead of flowing out of the heart to the body. The result of this anomaly is that the right side of the heart must work harder. PAPVD is often associated with an ASD or with more complex cardiac defects.

Surgery is needed when the child has increasing pulmonary pressures or develops congestive heart failure. Depending on the complexity of the PAPVD, surgery usually involves connecting the pulmonary veins to the left atrium.

Diagram 2.16 Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage 1 - location where right pulmonary veins normally enter left atrium 2 - right pulmonary veins entering right atrium Oxygenated blood flows from the right pulmonary veins into the right atrium instead of into the left atrium.