Systemic Venous Return

Full Definition

Systemic venous return refers to the flow of deoxygenated blood from the body's tissues back to the heart through the venous system. In normal anatomy, this blood returns via the superior vena cava (from the upper body) and inferior vena cava (from the lower body) to the right atrium. In congenital heart disease, abnormalities in systemic venous return may include anomalous connections, stenosis, or redirection of venous flow as part of surgical palliation procedures such as the Fontan circulation.

In Context

• "The Fontan procedure redirects systemic venous return directly to the pulmonary arteries." — Surgical planning note
• "Obstruction of systemic venous return was suspected based on elevated central venous pressures." — Critical care assessment