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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

Non invasive cardiac vein mapping: role of multislice CT coronary angiography

Roberto Malagò1, Andrea Pezzato, Camilla Barbiani

  • 1Radiology Department, University Hospital Policlinico G.B.Rossi, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. robertomalag@yahoo.it

European Journal of Radiology
|April 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Coronary CTA effectively visualizes the cardiac venous system, aiding in planning cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation. This non-invasive imaging technique identifies coronary sinus variants and assesses its diameter, crucial for patient selection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Medical Device Technology
  • Anatomical Studies

Background:

  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation relies heavily on understanding coronary venous anatomy.
  • Chronic heart failure can lead to variations in coronary sinus size, impacting device placement.
  • Accurate pre-procedural assessment of the venous system is essential for successful CRT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (Coronary CTA) in detailing the coronary venous tree.
  • To specifically assess the coronary sinus and identify anatomical variants within the venous system.
  • To determine the role of Coronary CTA as a pre-surgical tool for CRT device implantation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 301 patients undergoing Coronary CTA for coronary artery disease.
  • Standard coronary artery evaluation protocol adapted to visualize the cardiac venous system.
  • Utilized 3D, MPR, cMPR, and MIP reconstructions for detailed analysis of venous structures.

Main Results:

  • The coronary sinus (CS), great cardiac vein (GCV), middle vein (MV), and anterior interventricular vein (AIV) were visualized in 100% of cases.
  • The lateral cardiac vein (LCV) and posterior cardiac vein (PCV) were visualized in 84% and 83% of patients, respectively.
  • Mean CS diameter was significantly larger in patients with chronic heart failure (9.93 mm) compared to those without (8.7 mm).

Conclusions:

  • Coronary CTA provides non-invasive mapping of the cardiac venous system.
  • This imaging modality is a valuable pre-surgical tool for planning biventricular pacemaker device implantation.
  • Detailed visualization of coronary venous anatomy aids in optimizing CRT device placement and patient selection.
Abstract

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