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Abnormal veins around the heart with the closure of the coronary sinus ostium

Akimitsu Ishizawa1, Ryoji Suzuki2, Ming Zhou2

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Hondo 1-1-1, Akita, 010-8543, Japan. ishizawa@med.akita-u.ac.jp.

Anatomical Science International
|September 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

A rare venous anomaly was found in a cadaver, including a persistent left superior vena cava and unusual connections to the coronary sinus. This case highlights anatomical variations in thoracic venous drainage.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Medical Education

Background:

  • Cadaveric dissection provides critical insights into human anatomical variations.
  • Understanding venous anomalies is essential for cardiovascular research and clinical practice.

Observation:

  • Observed a unique venous abnormality in a 72-year-old male cadaver.
  • The anomaly included a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) and a closed coronary sinus ostium.

Findings:

  • Coronary sinus blood drained into the left atrium via a wide, oblique vein connecting to the PLSVC.
  • Two anastomotic veins between the PLSVC and right superior vena cava were identified: a left brachiocephalic vein and a dorsal postaortic left brachiocephalic vein (dorsal PALBV).
  • The dorsal PALBV traversed between the ascending aorta and trachea, distinct from the typical left brachiocephalic vein.

Implications:

  • This case contributes to the understanding of congenital thoracic venous anomalies.
  • Such variations have implications for interpreting diagnostic imaging and surgical planning.
  • Discusses the potential embryological origins of these complex venous variations.

Keywords:
Closure of the coronary sinus ostiumHumanLeft superior vena cavaPostaortic left brachiocephalic vein

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