Anatomical Study of the Atrioventricular Nodal Branch of the Heart

Background The atrioventricular (AV) node is a relay station for electrical signals passing between the atria and ventricles. The artery supplying the AV node is functionally important, and its anatomical topography is relevant during invasive procedures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and understand the variations of the origin of the AV nodal branch (AVNb) and its variations. Materials and methods We dissected 31 adult human hearts to evaluate their AVNb and its variations. A classification scheme was used to detail the morphology found for each of these arteries. Results We identified five distinct origins of the AVNb: AVNb originating from the right coronary artery (RCA) proximal to the inferior interventricular branch (IVb) (type I, 3.2%), AVNb originating from the junction of the RCA and IVb (type II, 19.4%), AVNb originating from the RCA distal to the IVb (type III, 64.5%), AVNb originating from the IVb (type IV, 6.5%), and AVNb originating from the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (LCA) (type V, 6.5%). Conclusions Our study provides data on the morphology and variations of the AVNb. Such information can assist in better diagnoses based on imaging, better guide invasive procedures, and provide the cardiac surgeon with an improved method of classifying the AVNb and its branches during procedures of the coronary arteries and their branches.