Inferior Vena Cava
| Position | Cardiac output is lowest supine (the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava) and highest in left lateral | Supine hypotensive syndrome: examine and rest the woman tilted to the left |
What our notes say
- | Position | Cardiac output is lowest supine (the uterus compresses the inferior vena cava) and highest in left lateral | Supine hypotensive syndrome: examine and rest the woman tilted to the left | (Physiological changes in pregnancy)
- Oxygenated blood from the ductus venosus and inferior vena cava passes through the foramen ovale to the left atrium and on to the body. (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: 40 MCQs and 4 short answers)
- Directly into the inferior vena cava (below the right renal vein). (General Surgery CAT 2 (MBSG 4600): 4 October 2021)
- Post-sinusoidal: veno-occlusive disease; Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic vein thrombosis or obstruction of outflow); constrictive pericarditis and right heart failure; inferior vena cava webs and primary vascular malignancies. (Internal Medicine 4th Year 1st Semester CAT: HIV and the gut, liver disease and )
- The enlarged uterus presses on the iliac veins and the inferior vena cava, which raises the pressure in the veins of the legs. (Obstetrics II CAT: miscarriage, pregnancy physiology and antenatal care, 26 MCQs)
- Embolization: Part or all of the thrombus dislodges (becomes an embolus) and travels via the inferior vena cava → right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery. (Cat. Pathology: Acute Inflammation, Mediators & Pulmonary Embolism)
Practice questions on Inferior Vena Cava
Following birth, circulation from placenta to fetus ceases. Which of the following fetal structures that conducts blood to the inferior vena cava becomes atretic in postnatal life?
- Azygous vein
- Ductus arteriosus
- Ductus venosus
- Foramen ovale
- Umbilical artery
Answer: C. The ductus venosus extends from
Which vessel drains blood from the liver into the inferior vena cava?
- Portal vein
- Hepatic artery
- Hepatic vein
- Central vein
Answer: C. Central veins aggregate into hepatic veins, which then drain into the IVC.