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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
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Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Method for the Visualization and Assessment of Specific Parameters of the Pulmonary Veins
Published on: October 28, 2020
Venous valves within left ventricular coronary veins
Sara E Anderson1, Jason L Quill, Paul A Iaizzo
1Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery, University of Minnesota, B172 Mayo, MMC 107, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
Summary
Most human hearts contain coronary venous valves, which can impact cardiac procedures. Understanding these venous valves is key to improving the success of interventional cardiology techniques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Cardiac Intervention
Background:
- Venous valves in the heart's major left ventricular (LV) veins are not well-characterized.
- Understanding their presence and morphology is crucial for cardiac interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize venous valves in the major left ventricular (LV) veins of human hearts.
- To assess the prevalence and location of these valves.
Main Methods:
- Fiberscope cameras were used to examine the coronary sinus and major LV coronary veins in 26 perfusion-fixed human hearts.
- Venous valves were categorized by type and location and compared across different LV veins.
Main Results:
- Venous valves were identified in 89% (23 of 26) of the examined hearts, with a total of 105 valves found.
- The majority of observed valves (58%) were located at the openings (ostia) of smaller branch veins.
Conclusions:
- Coronary venous valves are common and can influence the navigation of devices during cardiac interventional procedures.
- Characterizing these valves may explain challenges or successes in accessing specific coronary venous targets.
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