Definition:
Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital heart defect wherein one or more of the four veins transporting oxygenated blood from the lungs drain to the right atrium of the heart instead of the left atrium. In this medical condition, the right pulmonary vein is connected to the inferior vena cava instead of the left atrium.
This rare medical condition is also known as pulmanory venolobar syndrome.
Diagnosis:
Scimitar syndrome can be diagnosed by means of different useful diagnostic procedures like echocardiography (can be either transthoracic or transesophageal), angiography, computerized chest tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment:
Scimitar syndrome cases with the presence of significant left to right shunting and pulmonary hypertension surgical procedure aimed at correcting the defect is of useful consideration. In this procedure, an inter-atrial baffle is created to redirect the pulmonary venous return into the left atrium. There are also cases wherein the anomalous vein can be re-implanted directly into the left atrium.
Symptoms and Signs:
Some of the symptoms of Scimitar syndrome include:
* Cyanosis; also known as blue skin or purple skin
* Shortness of breath
* Respiratory distress
* Heart murmur
* Hypoxia
* Pulmonary hypertension
* Grunting
Causes:
The cause of Scimitar syndrome is still unknown.
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