The behavior of three types of large sinus node arteries with regard to the blood supply of the atrial myocardium.

Purpose: We describe angiographic findings of sinus node arteries (SNAs), focusing in the large sinus node artery (LSNA) variants, regarding the blood supply of the SN and atrial myocardium.

Methods: We examined the SN arteries via postmortem angiographic visualization in six hundred hearts derived from victims of various accidents.

Results: The main stem or a branch of the SNA supplied the right atrium (RA) and part of the interatrial septum (IS) in 32% of cases (Group A), one atrium, the IS and a small part of the other atrium (Group B) in 39% and the entire atrial myocardium (LSNAs) (Group C) in 29%.

Merkel cell carcinoma with kidney metastasis in a 81-year-old man. A rare case report.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. The prognosis of the disease is considered poor. Secondary metastasis is common, however a secondary metastasis to kidney from Merkel cell is a very rare phenomenon.

Age-related fibromuscular dysplasia in the human left ventricle papillary muscles arteries.

We describe histologically cases of patients between 31 and 60 years of age who had fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) in the tunica media (TM) of the left ventricle papillary muscles (PM) arteries. We also compared them with our previous findings in subjects younger than 30 years of age. We examined histologically samples taken from the tip of the anterior PM of the left ventricle in 200 healthy male hearts.

Histological findings of the atrioventricular conductive system in street heroin addicts, victims of sudden unexpected death.

A study of the atrioventricular (AV) conducting tissue was considered necessary for the examination of probable histologic changes that could justify the arrhythmias observed in street-heroin addicts. Postmortem coronary angiography and microscopic examination were performed in 50 heroin addicts (group A) and in 50 nonaddicts (group B), all male 16-40 years old. In group A, fatty and/or fibrous tissue replaced the AV node in 50% of cases while in group B in 14%.

Histologic findings of the sinus node and the perinodal area in street heroin addicts, victims of sudden unexpected death.

Sudden unexpected death is frequent in street heroin addicts. We conducted a histologic study of the sinus node (SN) to offer some evidence about the possible arrhythmogenic cause of death. Postmortem coronary angiography and microscopic examination of the SN and the perinodal area were performed in 50 heroin addicts (group 1) and in 50 nonaddicts (group 2), all men (16-40 years old).

Post mortem coronary angiographic visualization of a rare sinus node artery anatomical variant.

The incidence of sinoatrial artery variants and their significance have been repeatedly reported in the literature. Herein we describe a rare post mortem angiographic finding which concerns a unique and previously unreported case where the sinus node artery had an abnormal origin from the proximal conus artery. Although it was asymptomatic, any possible involvement with invasive or surgical procedures and its clinical consequences should be considered.

Sinus node artery originating from the posterior part of the right coronary artery.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the anatomical variations of the sinus node artery (SNA).

Methods: Gross anatomical examination, angiographic evaluation and if necessary dissection were performed in 200 human hearts derived from victims of various accidents.

Results: The SNA was a branch of the right coronary artery in 118 [59%] cases, the left circumflex in 78 [39%] cases and both coronary arteries in 4 [2%] cases.

Variation in the blood supply of the sinus node.

Purpose: 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.

A secret pathway of the sinus node artery.

Anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings of a previously unreported case of common origin of the left circumflex (LCX) and the sinus node (SN) arteries, from the left main (LM) coronary artery were demonstrated. Knowledge of this anatomical variation, although it does not give rise to symptoms, is essential for anatomist and mainly for the interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons for their procedures.

Histological recognition and classification of the atrioventricular node artery variants: a new approach.

Background: There is a controversy in the literature concerning the origin, course, and distribution of the atrioventricular (AV) node artery.

Methods: Postmortem coronary angiography, dissection, and microscopic examination were performed in 100 human hearts specimens, providing anatomical, histological, and postmortem angiographic features of the AV node artery.

Results: Two anatomical types of AV node artery, depending on its length (long-short), were found.

Post-mortem angiographic and histologic findings of coronary artery fibromuscular dysplasia.

The present report highlights on exceptional angiographic and histologic features of coronary artery fibromuscular dysplasia in a young man complaining of chest discomfort during strenuous exercise. The striking features of fibromuscular dysplasia were the relative proximal localization of the lesion in left anterior descending coronary artery, the extensive length of the lesion, and the exclusive involvement of the intima producing a diffuse regular narrowing lesion. An eccentric intimal proliferation of the small left anterior descending coronary artery branches along their epicardial and intramural course was additionally demonstrated.

Kugel's artery: an anatomical and angiographic study using a new technique.

In this study, we tried to resolve the confusion in the literature regarding the existence and course of Kugel's artery. With the aid of a new technique, we studied 100 human hearts ex vivo by radiography and by direct observation through dissection, to demonstrate anatomical and postmortem angiographic findings of Kugel's artery. Kugel's artery was found in only 6 hearts out of 100 (6%).

Histologic findings in left ventricle papillary muscle arteries from human hearts.

We describe original histologic findings of left ventricle papillary muscle (LVPM) arteries in people under 30 years of age. We examined 666 samples taken from the tip, mid-portion and base of papillary muscles in 56 males and 55 females, as well as several samples from the rest of the left ventricle. The number of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the tunica media of the LVPM arteries led us to divide the samples examined into three groups: (i) group 1, 355 samples (53%) with a normal number of SMC and a normal lumen (the number of group 1 samples increased from the tip (21%) to the base (47%)); (ii) group 2, 252 samples (38%) with a mild to moderately increased number of SMC (the number of these samples decreased from the tip (44%) to the base (22%)); and (iii) group 3, 59 samples (9%) with abundant SMC that were more than twofold greater in size and number of normal arteries, in contrast with the other two groups.

Original histologic findings in arteries of the right ventricle papillary muscles in human hearts.

In this study we describe original histologic findings of the right ventricle papillary muscle (PM) arteries in people under 30 years old. We examined 666 samples taken from the tip, mid-portion, and base of the PM in 56 males and 55 females, as well as samples from the rest of the right ventricle. The amount of smooth muscle cell (SMC) fibers in the tunica media (TM) led to their division into three groups: Group 1: 351 samples (53%); normal amount, normal lumen.

Ectopic "high" origin of both coronary arteries from the left aortic wall: anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings.

Anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings of a previously unreported case of ectopic origins and unusual courses of the right coronary (RC) artery and the left coronary (LC) artery were demonstrated. This specimen was unique among 450 angiographies and 60 corrosion castings of the human hearts examined in this study. The ostium of the RC artery was pocket-like, located in the left aortic wall at roughly 180 degrees to the long axis of the ascending aorta and 19 mm above the rim of the sinotubular junction (SJ).

Ectopic "high" origin of both coronary arteries from the left aortic wall: anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings.

Anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings of a previously unreported case of ectopic origins and unusual courses of the right coronary (RC) artery and the left coronary (LC) artery were demonstrated. This specimen was unique among 450 angiographies and 60 corrosion castings of the human hearts examined in this study. The ostium of the RC artery was pocket-like, located in the left aortic wall at roughly 180 degrees to the long axis of the ascending aorta and 19 mm above the rim of the sinotubular junction (SJ).

Variations in the origin and course of the posterior interventricular artery in relation to the crux cordis and the posterior interventricular vein: an anatomical study.

Corrosion castings of 60 human hearts were used to demonstrate that the point of origin of the posterior interventricular artery (PIA), in relation to the crux cordis, is responsible for its subsequent course with respect to the posterior interventricular vein (PIV). In seven cases (12%), the PIA appeared as the continuation of the left circumflex, descending rightwards and on a deeper level of the PIV. In 53 cases (88%), the PIA arose from the right coronary artery (RCA) and 50 of these were selected to be classified into three groups, according to the PIAs origin and course.

Variant of the left coronary artery with an unusual origin and course: anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings.

This study demonstrates anatomic and postmortem angiographic findings characterizing the origin of the left coronary (LC) artery arising in common trunk with the right coronary (RC) artery from the right aortic sinus and its course via the ventricular septum (VS) to the left heart. This anomaly was a single finding observed among 388 angiographies and 60 corrosion castings. The course of the LC was divided in four segments.

Posterior right diagonal artery. An angiographic study.

The purpose of this prospectively performed study was the angiographic visualization of the posterior right diagonal artery (PRDA) and its differentiation from the epicardial branches of the right coronary artery (RCA), that is, the right marginal artery and the posterior descending artery (PDA). The authors prospectively studied the angiographic findings of 607 patients who underwent coronary angiography. The incidence of the angiographically demonstrated PRDA and its distinction from other epicardial branches arising from the distal third of the RCA was the main point of interest.

Functional dominance of the right coronary artery: incidence in the human heart.

After injection of radiopaque medium, 200 human hearts were studied by direct observation and x-ray analysis. The right coronary artery (RC) was dominant in 178 of these hearts as characterized by giving off the typical posterior interventricular artery (PIV), the posterior descending artery. Within this group, 19 specimens had right coronary arteries that gave off both a large posterior interventricular artery (LPIV) and a branch that continued beyond the crux termed a large extension of the right coronary (LERC).

Posterior right diagonal artery.

Background: There is general confusion about a branch of the posterior segment of the right coronary artery that has been referred to as 1) the lower trunk of a divided right coronary artery; 2) a posterior reflection of the right marginal artery; 3) the ramus lateralis; and 4) a posterolateral branch or a posterior descending artery.

Materials: Three hundred human hearts were studied by direct observation, X-ray films, and corrosion casting.

Results: This branch of the right coronary artery arises either after the right marginal artery (in 84% of hearts) or it constitutes the continuation of this artery in the remaining 16%.