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Aneurysm of the great cardiac vein
Marios Loukas1, R Shane Tubbs, Robert Jordan
1Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies. edsg2000@yahoo.com
Insights
An unusual aneurysm of the great cardiac vein was identified in an 86-year-old man. This anatomical variation, potentially caused by vascular constrictions, highlights the need for awareness among cardiac specialists.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Vascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Anatomical variations in cardiac veins can lead to iatrogenic injuries during cardiac procedures.
- Awareness of these variations is crucial for procedural safety.
Observation:
- A rare case of great cardiac vein aneurysm presented in an 86-year-old male patient.
- The great cardiac vein originated near the interventricular sulcus apex, crossing the anterior interventricular branch (AIB) anteriorly.
- The aneurysm was possibly caused by distal constriction from a circumflex branch artery and proximal constriction by the left marginal artery.
Findings:
- Detailed anatomical description of a great cardiac vein aneurysm.
- Identification of potential causative factors: distal and proximal vascular constrictions.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of recognizing cardiac vein variations for interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
- Emphasizes the need for careful pre-procedural imaging and surgical planning to avoid complications.
Abstract:
Anatomical variations in the cardiac veins have the potential to cause iatrogenic injuries during cardiac surgical procedures or cardiac resynchronization therapy. We present a case of an 86-year-old man, which presented with a great cardiac vein aneurysm. The great cardiac vein arose near the apex of the interventricular sulcus to the right of the anterior interventricular branch (AIB) of the left coronary artery and crossed the AIB anteriorly to the left. The great cardiac vein aneurysm appeared to be due to a possible distal constriction of the great cardiac vein by a small muscular branch of the circumflex branch and a possible proximal constriction by the left marginal artery. Cardiologists who interpret imaging of the cardiac veins and cardiac surgeons who operate close to the great cardiac vein should be aware of such a variation.
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