Zahra Khajali - Associate Professor, Rajaei Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fateme Jorfi - Assistant Professor, Atherosclerosis Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Mohamad Sadra Nazari - Assistant Professor, Department of Vascular Surgery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Maryam Keshavarz-Hedayati - Atherosclerosis Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Maziar Gholampour-Dehaki - Professor, Heart Valve Disease Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND: Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are one of the most common congenital cardiac abnormalities. Repair of these defects is a quite secure and routine operation. The most common complications were postoperative atrial arrhythmias, sinus arrhythmia, and atrioventricular (AV) blocks requiring pacemaker implantation, mediastinal bleeding, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or strokes. Iatrogenic diversion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the left atrium (LA) during surgical closure of an ASD is a very rare complication.CASE REPORT: We reported a patient who had a history of cardiac surgery in another center at the age of seven and was introduced to our clinic with complaints of dyspnea and cyanosis of extremities on exertion. She underwent surgery in our center with diagnosis of iatrogenic diversion of IVC to LA.CONCLUSION: The most common mechanism suggested is a large eustachian valve being mistaken for the inferior rim of the ASD.

Atrial Septal Defect, Heart Surgical Procedure, Inferior Vena Cava