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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
06:02

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Published on: April 18, 2013

Electrophysiological characterization of cardiac veins in humans

David A Cesario1, Miguel Valderrabano, John J Cai

  • 1UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles CA.

Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology : an International Journal of Arrhythmias and Pacing
|May 11, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Atrial electrograms are wider in the coronary sinus (CS) due to its myocardial coat, unlike the great cardiac vein (GCV). These electrical differences in the CS may explain varied supraventricular arrhythmias across age groups.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Vascular Anatomy
  • Pediatric Cardiology

Background:

  • The coronary sinus (CS) possesses a complex myocardial coat and internal muscle bundles.
  • Understanding the electrical properties of the CS and great cardiac vein (GCV) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the electrical activity of the coronary sinus (CS), great cardiac vein (GCV), and associated structures like the Vein of Marshall (VOM).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of electrograms (EGMs) from adult (n=114) and pediatric (n=16) patients.
  • Pacing protocols at cycle lengths of 600 ms and 300 ms were employed.

Main Results:

  • Atrial EGMs were significantly wider in the CS (46 ± 7.4 ms) compared to the GCV (29.7 ± 6.3 ms) at 600 ms pacing.
  • EGM width increased with decremental pacing in both vessels, but remained wider in the CS.
  • No significant differences in EGM width were observed between CS and GCV in pediatric patients.

Conclusions:

  • Wider atrial EGMs in the CS are attributed to its surrounding myocardial coat.
  • Electrical properties suggest a lack of tight coupling between CS muscle bundles and surrounding musculature.
  • Differences in pediatric patients may relate to variations in supraventricular arrhythmias observed across age groups.
Abstract

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