title: Right posterior sinoatrial node artery showing a pericaval course: a previously undescribed mode of termination.
abstract: The left posterior sinus node artery (PSNA) originates from the posterolateral left circumflex artery, is quite common and shows more frequently a retrocaval mode of termination. In contrast, the right PSNA that arises from the terminal right coronary artery has been rarely described while information on its mode of termination is generally lacking. The PSNA courses close to the ostia of the superior pulmonary veins; hence, it may get injured during surgical or catheter ablation procedures performed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The left PSNA terminates retrocavally more frequently than the usual SNAs; hence, it may be at a greater risk of transection during the popular superior septal approach to the mitral valve. We present a case of right PSNA which terminated in a previously unreported course, i.e., the pericaval. Discussion pertains to the anatomic features of the PSNA that render it susceptible to the aforementioned complications.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Old Road Nicosia-Limassol 213, Strovolos, P.O. Box 2029, Nicosia, Cyprus. y.andreas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andreas Yiangou
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Andreou
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: Panayiotis C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Avraamides
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000601:surgery; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome