Variation in the blood supply of the sinus node.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to examine the anatomical variations in the blood supply to the sinus node.


METHODS
Gross anatomical examination and angiographic evaluation were performed in 400 human hearts derived from victims of various accidents.


RESULTS
The sinus node artery was a branch of the right coronary artery in 245 cases, the left circumflex in 147 cases, and both coronary arteries in 8 cases. In one subject, two sinus node arteries were found to arise from the left circumflex artery, a finding never reported before.


CONCLUSIONS
Anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings of a previously unreported case where the sinus node is perfused by two sinus node arteries originating from the left circumflex coronary artery are demonstrated. Knowledge of this anatomical variation is useful for anatomists and of clinical significance for the interventional cardiologists and mainly for the cardiac surgeons in planning the surgical procedures.
Forensic Medical Service of Athens, Micras Asias 75, Sirou 3, 112 57, Athens, Greece. theano9@otenet.gr
Christos E
CE
Nerantzis
Hector
H
Anninos
Philipp N
PN
Koutsaftis
D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000033:anatomy & histology*