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Updated: May 17, 2026

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
Published on: April 18, 2013
Variance in coronary venous anatomy: a critical determinant in optimal candidate selection for cardiac
Arpandeep Randhawa1, Abhimanyu Saini, Anjali Aggarwal
1Department of Anatomy, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Understanding coronary sinus anatomy is crucial for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Variations like restrictive Thebesian valves and acute tributary angles can hinder left ventricle lead placement.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Cardiovascular System
- Medical Device Placement
Background:
- Knowledge of coronary sinus (CS) anatomy is vital for successful left ventricle lead placement during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
- Anatomical variations can significantly impact procedural outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anatomical variations of the coronary venous system.
- To identify specific anatomical features that may impede cannulation of the coronary sinus for CRT lead placement.
Main Methods:
- A detailed anatomical study was conducted on 50 formalin-fixed adult cadaveric hearts.
- Analysis included the number, diameter, and opening angles of coronary venous tributaries.
Main Results:
- Thebesian valve (TV) and Vieussens valve were observed in 64% and 60% of cases, respectively.
- Restrictive TV coverage (≥75% of CS ostium) occurred in 25% of hearts.
- Single prominent tributaries and acute tributary angles with the CS axis were noted in a significant percentage of cases.
Conclusions:
- Restrictive Thebesian valves, single prominent tributaries, and acute tributary angles can impede successful coronary sinus cannulation.
- These anatomical factors are critical considerations for electrophysiologists performing CRT.
- Awareness of these variations can improve procedural success rates in CRT.
Background:
Knowledge of coronary sinus (CS) anatomy and its variations is one of the important factors determining the final position of left ventricle pacing lead during cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Methods:
Coronary venous system anatomy, including number, diameter, and opening angles of tributaries, was studied in 50 normal formalin-fixed adult cadaveric hearts.
Results:
Thebesian valve (TV) and Vieussens valve were present in 64% and 60% cases, respectively. CS ostium coverage of ≥75% by TV was seen in 25% (8/32) cases. Number of prominent tributaries lying between anterior interventricular vein and middle cardiac vein varied from 1-4. In 28% of hearts, only one prominent tributary was present. Midlateral vein (average diameter 1.75 ± 0.66 mm) with an average distance of 43.5 ± 12.2 mm from coronary ostium was present in 58% (29/50) hearts, of which it formed an acute angle with CS axis in four (13.39%) cases. Posterolateral vein (average diameter 1.62 ± 0.45 mm) with an average distance of 33.4 ± 11.7 mm from coronary ostium was found in 72% (36/50) cases and formed an acute angle with CS in three (8.33%) cases.
Conclusions:
Restrictive TV covering ≥75% CS ostium (25% cases), presence of single prominent tributary (28% cases), and formation of acute angle of tributary with CS axis (1/4 cases with anterolateral vein, 4/29 cases with midlateral vein, 3/36 cases with posterolateral vein, and 3/28 cases with posterior veins of the left ventricle) can impede successful cannulation of CS.
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