Canine AV nodal artery: anatomical variations and a detailed description of cannulation technique

Cannulation of the atrioventricular (AV) nodal artery for selective perfusion of the AV node is a useful physiological method for evaluating the direct effects of pharmacological agents on the AV node. However, previous reports have not included a detailed description of the technique for AV nodal artery cannulation. Furthermore, successful cannulation is dependent on familiarity with the anatomical variations of the AV nodal artery [i.e., the most superior posterior septal artery (PSA)], which supplies blood to the AV nodal region and the posterior descending artery (PDA). The purpose of this report is to describe in detail the technique for cannulation of the AV nodal artery as well as the common anatomical variations of this artery. The anatomy of the PDA and PSA was studied at postmortem examination with ink injection in 30 dogs. Verification of the anatomical location of the AV nodal artery was aided by the induction of transient AV nodal conduction block following intracoronary administration of acetylcholine in the beating heart, as was done in previous studies. Two main variations and two subtypes of PDA anatomy and three main variations of AV nodal artery were found. Based on the present findings, an improved technique for cannulation of the AV nodal artery was established. Using this technique, we achieved a high rate of successful cannulation.