SPONTANEOUS ARTERIOVENOUS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE AORTA AND SUPERIOR VENA CAVA

Abstract

The characteristic signs of an arteriovenous communication were present in the case. A marked elevation of the venous pressure in the upper extremities was observed. Diodrast, injected simultaneously into both antecubital veins, could not be demonstrated in the superior vena cava on roentgenoscopic examination. In the postmortem findings it was noted that the heart was dilated but not greatly hypertrophied. The relatively long duration of life after the establishment of the communication is noted.