Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
Published on: April 18, 2013
Multidetector computed tomographic anatomy of the coronary sinus in patients with supraventricular reentrant
Ahmet Karagöz1, Özgül Uçar, Mustafa Gürkan Kutucularoglu
1Department of Cardiology, Giresun Professor Doctor Atilla Ilhan Ozdemir State Hospital, Teyyaredüzü Mahallesi, Atatürk Bulvarı, Giresun, Turkey. drahmetkgz@hotmail.com.
Insights
Contrary to prior research, this study found no significant differences in coronary sinus (CS) size or shape between patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and other groups. These findings suggest CS characteristics are not unique to AVNRT.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Previous studies suggested larger coronary sinus (CS) ostium and easier cannulation in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT).
- These observations implied potential anatomical differences in the CS associated with AVNRT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the size and morphology of the CS in patients with AVNRT.
- To compare these CS characteristics against patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) and a control group.
- To utilize multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for non-invasive assessment.
Main Methods:
- MDCT imaging was performed on 18 AVNRT patients, 16 AVRT patients, and 16 controls.
- CS diameter was measured at the ostium and at 5, 10, and 15 mm intervals.
- CS morphology was categorized as 'windsock' or 'tubular'.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in CS ostium size (AVNRT: 10.9 ± 3.0 mm, AVRT: 11.1 ± 3.9 mm, Control: 12.5 ± 3.6 mm; p = 0.393).
- CS size remained comparable across all groups from the ostium to 15 mm.
- The distribution of windsock versus tubular CS morphology was similar among the three groups.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings contradict previous reports suggesting unique CS characteristics in AVNRT patients.
- CS size and morphology do not appear to differ significantly between AVNRT, AVRT, and control groups.
Background:
In a number of previous studies it has been observed that coronary sinus (CS) ostium was larger and cannulation was easier in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT).
Aim:
To investigate the size and morphology of CS in AVNRT patients and compare them to those of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) patients and a control group using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), which is a non-invasive technique.
Methods:
Eighteen consecutive patients with AVNRT who were scheduled for catheter ablation in our institution constituted the study population. Sixteen patients with AVRT and 16 patients without supraventricular arrhythmia who underwent MDCT for other indications comprised the control group. A conventional transthoracic echocardiography was performed to all patients. The diameter of the CS at ostium as well as at 5, 10, and 15 mm inside the CS were measured on MDCT images. The CS was also categorised according to its morphology, as to whether it had a windsock shape or a tubular shape.
Results:
The AVNRT, AVRT and control groups were similar with regard to age, gender, body surface area and echocardiographic parameters. The size of the CS ostium was 10.9 ± 3.0, 11.1 ± 3.9 and 12.5 ± 3.6 mm for the AVNRT, AVRT and control groups, respectively (p = 0.393). There was no significant difference in the size of the CS from the ostium until 15 mm into the CS between the AVNRT, AVRT and control groups. The number of patients with windsock or tubular CS morphology were also similar between the three groups.
Conclusions:
Contrary to previous reports, the CS size and morphology of patients with AVNRT did not differ from that of AVRT or control patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:23Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
01:21Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI