Anatomy of the Sinoatrial Nodal Branch in Korean Population: Imaging with MDCT

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate, on a retrospective basis, the anatomic characteristics of the arterial supply to the sinoatrial node (SAN) in the Korean population using an ECG-gated multi-detector CT (MDCT).Materials and MethodsThe electrocardiographic-gated MDCTs of 500 patients (258 men and 242 women; age range, 17-83 years; mean age, 58.6 ± 12.04 years) were analyzed retrospectively. In each case, the SAN artery (arteries) was named according to a special nomenclature with regard to origin, course, and termination.ResultsA total of 516 SAN arteries were visualized in 496 patients. The SAN was supplied by a single artery in 476 (96.4%) cases and by 2 arteries in 18 (3.6%) cases. The SAN originated from the right coronary artery in 265 (53.4%) cases and from the left circumflex in 213 (43%) cases.ConclusionThis study can provide basic data on variations of the SAN artery in the Korean population.

Anatomical Variations in the Sinoatrial Nodal Artery: A Meta-Analysis and Clinical Considerations

“…In the total of 66 studies (n = 21455 hearts) included in the meta-analysis, there were 42 cadaveric studies[ 3 , 5 – 8 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 , 16 – 22 , 27 – 31 , 35 – 38 , 40 – 42 , 44 , 45 , 48 , 51 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 59 , 67 – 72 ] and 24 imaging studies[ 9 , 12 , 15 , 23 – 26 , 32 – 34 , 39 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 53 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 73 – 76 ]. The modalities used in these imaging studies were either X-ray angiography (6 studies)[ 34 , 39 , 43 , 47 , 74 , 76 ] or Computed Tomography (CT) angiography (18 studies)[ 9 , 12 , 15 , <...>…”

RE: An Unusual Course of Right Coronary Artery Originating from Sinoatrial Node Artery

“…The distal course of this artery is similar to the S-shaped sinoatrial node artery originating from the left circumflex artery. This rare subtype can be appropriately designated R3, consistent with the prior classification ( 1 , 2 ). We retrospectively analyzed the coronary CT angiography results of 875 consecutive patients and found that only two cases (0.2%) showed this type of origin and course of the sinoatrial node artery.…”

“…We read with interest the article of Song et al ( 1 ). The authors evaluated the sinoatrial node artery in patients who underwent coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography.…”

“…Song et al ( 1 ) designated the subtypes R1, R2, L1, L2, and L3, and reported their frequency as 55%, 0%, 33.3%, 11.7%, and 0%, respectively. In a different study, the respective frequencies were 56%, 1.2%, 21.5%, 19.5%, and 0.4% ( 2 ).…”

Morphometric Study of the Right Coronary Artery

“…Regarding the first group(single SAN artery), it was found to originate from right coronary artery in 58.2%, from left circumflex (LCx) artery in 37.2%, while one patient had a SAN artery originating from the aorta. In Koreans, Song YS et al 2012 [16] reported that the SAN was supplied by a single artery in 96.4% of cases and by 2 arteries in 3.6% of cases; The SAN artery originated from the right coronary artery in 53.4% of cases and from the left circumflex in 43% of cases.…”