Introduction:

Double vena cava is the most common thoracic abnormality and is mainly caused by persistence of the left superior vena cava and are usually described incidentally after placement of central venous accesses.

Objective:

Presentation of a clinical case where a double superior vena cava was identified after the placement of a Mahurkar-type catheter.

Clinical case:

A 54-year-old man was admitted to the nephrology department with a diagnosis of angioaccess-associated infection. Mahurkar catheter was placed without complications, atypical location was observed by chest X-ray, so CT angiography was requested suggestive images of left superior vena cava persistence with a central venous catheter inside are reported.

Discussion:

The identification of superior double vena cava in most cases occurs incidentally after the placement of a central venous access, after taking a plain chest x-ray where a persistent left superior vena cava can be observed, and it may be accompanied by other abnormalities.

Conclusions:

Knowing the possible vascular alterations helps prevent complications during procedures such as central venous catheter placement.

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