Prevalence and patterns of coronary artery anomalies in 28,800 adult patients undergoing angiography in a large tertiary care centre in India

Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are a diverse group of disorders with varied clinical presentation and pathophysiological mechanisms. A majority of these anomalies are asymptomatic and often an incidental finding on coronary angiogram or autopsy. This retrospective study included 28,800 patients who underwent coronary angiography from 2016 to 2020. The coronary angiograms were reviewed by two independent reviewers and CAAs were documented. CAAs were classified into (a) anomalies of coronary artery connection, (b) anomalies of intrinsic coronary arterial anatomy and (c) anomalies of myocardial/coronary artery interaction as proposed by the European Society of Cardiology. Of the 28,800 coronary angiograms, CAAs were present in 4.12% with anomalies in the left coronary artery (LCA) being most common. Anomalies of coronary artery connection were most common (48.48%) followed by anomalies of myocardial/coronary artery interaction (34.49%) and anomalies of intrinsic coronary artery anatomy (17.03%). Among anomalies of coronary artery connection, absent left main trunk or split LCA with separate origins of left anterior descending coronary artery and left circumflex coronary artery from the left coronary sinus of Valsalva (22.59%) was most common. An intramural course or “myocardial bridge” had an incidence of 1.16% while incidence of coronary artery fistulae (CAF) was 0.115%.

Quantitative angiographic haemodynamic evaluation of bypasses for complex aneurysms: a preliminary study

ObjectiveOpen microsurgery, often with bypass techniques, is indispensable for complex aneurysms. To date, it remains unknown whether arterial anatomy or quantitative blood flow measurements can predict insufficient flow-related stroke (IRS). The present study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for IRS in patients treated with open microsurgery with bypass procedures for complex internal carotid artery aneurysms.MethodsPatients with complex aneurysms undergoing bypass surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The recipient/donor flow index (RDFI) was preoperatively evaluated using colour-coding angiography. RDFI was defined as the ratio of the cerebral blood volume of the recipient and donor arteries. The sizes of the recipient and donor arteries were measured. The recipient/donor diameter index (RDDI) was then calculated. IRS was defined as the presence of new postoperative neurological deficits and infarction on postoperative CT scans. We assessed the association between RDFI and other variables and the IRS.ResultsTwenty patients (38±12 years) were analysed. IRS was observed in 12 patients (60%). Patients with postoperative IRS had a higher RDFI than those without postoperative IRS (p<0.001). RDDI was not significantly different between patients with and without IRS (p=0.905). Patients with RDFI >2.3 were more likely to develop IRS (p<0.001).ConclusionQuantitative digital subtraction angiography enables preoperative evaluation of cerebral blood volume. RDFI >2.3, rather than RDDI, was significantly associated with postoperative IRS. This preoperative evaluation allows appropriate decisions regarding the treatment strategy for preventing postoperative IRS.

Radial artery access anatomy: considerations for neuroendovascular procedures

Although enthusiasm for transradial access for neurointerventional procedures has grown, a unique set of considerations bear emphasis to preserve safety and minimize complications. In the first part of this review series, we will review important anatomical considerations for safe and easy neuroendovascular procedures from a transradial approach. These include normal and variant radial artery anatomy, the anatomic snuffbox, as well as axillary, brachial, and great vessel arterial anatomy that is imperative for the neuroendovascular surgeon to be intimately familiar prior to pursuing transradial access procedures. In the next part of the review series, we will focus on safety and complications specific to a transradial approach.

Surgical glance at pancreatic arterial anatomy

Aim. Study of anatomical variations of the pancreatic neck blood supply, which may affect the results of pancreaticoduodenectomy.Material and methods. Anatomic characteristics of arterial blood supply of pancreas were studied in 42 autopsied cases, who died from diseases not associated with abdominal organs failure. Clinical part of our study included 62 patients. Arterial anatomy was examined during early arterial phase of computer tomography. Options of the origin of the dorsa pancreatic artery were noted. All patients had “soft” pancreas confirmed by morphological examination and computer tomography. Main group included 20 patients. Dissection of the pancreas during pancreatoduodenectomy in this group were performed 10–15 mm left of portal vein confluence. Control (retrospective) group included 42 patients performed standard procedure, when pancreas was dissected above the portal vein confluence.Results. It was found that the neck of pancreas was supplied from dorsal pancreatic artery, found in all specimens. In 76% of cases it was a branch of splenic artery, in other cases – a branch of superior mesenteric artery. CT scan revealed the dorsal pancreatic artery in 54 (87.1%) people, in 8 patients the artery could not be identified. The dorsal pancreatic artery was a branch of the splenic artery in 64.8% of cases. In other cases it was a branch of the superior mesenteric artery, common hepatic artery, gastroduodenal artery and middle colon artery. If the dorsal pancreatic artery was a branch of the superior mesenteric, common hepatic, gastroduodenal artery, it was transected during lymphadenectomy. This led to higher frequency of postoperative pancreatic fistula.Conclusion. Localization of dorsal pancreatic artery must be taken into account during the pancreatoduodenectomy. That allows to decrease probability of postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Ventricular Septation and Outflow Tract Development in Crocodilians Result in Two Aortas With Bicuspid Semilunar Valves

The outflow tract of crocodilians resembles that of birds and mammals as ventricular septation is complete. The arterial anatomy however, presents with a pulmonary trunk originating from the right ventricular cavum, and two aortae originating from either the right or left ventricular cavum. Mixing of blood in crocodilians cannot occur at ventricular level as in other reptiles, but instead takes place at aortic root level by a shunt, the Foramen of Panizza, the opening of which is guarded by two facing semilunar leaflets of both bicuspid aortic valves. Methods. Developmental stages of Alligator mississipiensis, Crocodilus niloticus and Caiman latirostris, have been studied. Results and Conclusions. The outflow tract septation complex can be divided into 2 components. The aorto-pulmonary septum divides the pulmonary trunk from both aortae, whereas the interaortic septum divides the systemic from the visceral aorta. Neural crest cells are most likely involved in the formation of both components. Remodeling of the endocardial cushions and both septa results in the formation of bicuspid valves in all three arterial trunks. The foramen of Panizza originates intracardially as a channel in the septal endocardial cushion.