Contained Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm in a 64-Year-Old Man

We report a contained rupture of a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, in which repair resulted in symptomatic improvement. Patients often present with symptoms secondary to rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into one of the cardiac chambers, or secondary to the compression of adjacent structures. Whereas sinus of Valsalva aneurysms and their rupture are well reported in the literature, contained ruptures have been described only rarely. In those cases, symptoms often arose from compression of adjacent structures. Although transesophageal echocardiography is considered to be the diagnostic method of choice, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography can be equally helpful in establishing the diagnosis and delineating the lesion. Diagnosis and prompt repair in our 64-year-old patient resulted in the rapid resolution of his symptoms.

Venous Myocardial Infarction in an Infant with Obstructed Totally Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage and Coronary Sinus Ostial Atresia

We report a rare causal association between obstructed supracardiac totally anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and coronary sinus ostial atresia. Our 12-week-old patient developed venous myocardial infarction secondary to coronary venous hypertension because her sole route of coronary venous drainage was obstructed. She recovered after the obstruction was relieved by balloon dilation. Surgical repair then included anastomosis of the pulmonary venous confluence to the left atrium, ligation of the vertical vein, and unroofing of the coronary sinus. Coronary sinus ostial atresia is rarely diagnosed before autopsy.

Transseptal puncture by CTP-2 method: Results from cardiac computed tomography analysis and clinical application

The current used parameters for transseptal puncture (TSP) under fluoroscopic guidance is from left atriography and need to be verified by precise anatomic measurement. From February 2009 to July 2013, consecutive patients who received computed tomography (CT) were included. Landmarks and parameters were preliminary studied by right atriography, and further evaluated on the CT images of 1001 patients. A method (CTP-2) was proposed for guiding TSP. In right anterior oblique 45° view, the CTP-2 method was defined by points C, T, and P, and 2 areas: point C is in coronary sinus; point T is at a distance of dCT (usually 1.5 ± 0.2 vertebral height) over point C; then point P, the optimal puncture site, was located at 0.5 ± 0.2 vertebral body height posterior to point T; puncture should avoid the aortic root area and the rear triangle area; the aortic root area could be negatively revealed by right atriography at the orifice of inferior vena cava, and the rear triangle area is demarcated by points C, C', and T' (C' and T' are 2 points horizontally posterior to, and at dCT away from points C and T, respectively). The initial application of CTP-2 in 2820 patients showed that it might be helpful in reducing the need of left atriography and the possibility of cardiac perforation.

Coronary sinus flow measured by pulsed Doppler ultrasound is a powerful indicator of coronary blood supply- a pig heart in vitro study

AIMS

To evaluate the correlation between the coronary sinus flow and the infusion volume in the coronaries and assess the performance of coronary sinus flow in predicting coronary artery occlusion in an isolated pig heart.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The coronary sinus flow was measured in 16 isolated pig hearts by pulsed Doppler ultrasound. The correlation between the coronary sinus flow and the infusion volume in different coronary artery was analyzed, and the performance of coronary sinus flow in predicting different coronary artery occlusion was deducted.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the coronary sinus flow and the infusion volume in different coronary artery (p>0.05). The correlations between the coronary sinus flow and the infusion volume in left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), left circumflex coronary artery (LCX), LAD and LCX, and LAD, LCX and right coronary artery (RCA) were all higher than 0.85 (p<0.01), and those of RCA, LAD and RCA, and LCX and RCA were between 0.6 and 0.8 (p<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) were all higher than 0.90 (p<0.05) in predicting any two coronaries occlusion (<50% and 100%) and three coronaries occlusion (<50%) with a >85% sensitivity and specificity. Excepting RCA mild occlusion (<50%), AUCs in predicting one coronary occlusion (<50％ and 100%) were between 0.7 and 0.9, with >80% sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions The coronary sinus flow measured by pulsed Doppler ultrasound can effectively and exactly reflect the infusion volume in coronaries, which is a powerful indicator of coronary blood supply.

Anomalous Origin Of The Epicardial Left Coronary Artery From The Right Coronary Sinus Revealed In A Patient Presenting With Acute Myocardial Infarction

An 84-year-old lady presented with history of syncope and a transient loss of consciousness proceeded by severe chest pain to accident and emergency. Electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed anterolateral ST elevation. She had an emergency coronary angiogram revealing an anomalous left coronary artery with severe tortuosity and occlusion at mid segment. During the course of the angiogram she became asymptomatic and TIMI flow spontaneously restored. These findings were discussed with the patient and she opted for medical management understanding that it would be difficult to negotiate the tortuosity. On follow up she remained well with optimal anti-anginal treatment.

Coronary Sinus Flow Is Reduced and Recovered With Time in Viral Myocarditis Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiographic Study

OBJECTIVES

The clinical presentation of myocarditis often mimics acute coronary syndrome. Coronary sinus flow has been used for detection of the presence of myocardial ischemia. Whether myocarditis is associated with changes in coronary sinus flow remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess coronary sinus flow at the onset and follow-up of myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE).

METHODS

Sixty-four patients with clinically diagnosed viral myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome underwent TTE on days 3, 7, 30, 90, 180, and 360 after onset. Coronary sinus flow was compared among different points in time.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy participants, all patients with myocarditis had a larger cardiac size, reduced cardiac function, and electrocardiographic and myocardial enzyme abnormalities on days 3 and 7 days (P< .01; P< .05). They later had gradual restoration to normal levels. On days 3 and 7, the coronary sinus flow in patients with myocarditis was extremely lower than that in healthy participants (about one-tenth), although coronary angiography revealed unobstructed arteries. On days 30, 90, 180, and 360, the coronary sinus flow had been increasing; however, it was still far less than that in healthy participants (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary sinus flow depicted by TTE is reduced but recovers with time in viral myocarditis mimicking acute coronary syndrome, which is a useful indicator in the follow-up of this type of myocarditis.

Partial abnormal drainage of superior and inferior caval veins into the left atrium: two case reports

Abnormal connection of the right superior caval vein to the left atrium is an uncommon systemic vein drainage anomaly, with only a few cases reported among congenital heart disease (CHD), around 20 cases published in the medical literature. The inferior vena cava connection with the left atrium, also very rare, can appear directly or in heterotaxy. Clinical suspicion arises due to the presence of cyanosis in the absence of other specific clinical signs (without other associated CHD). We present the cases of two children with abnormal superior and inferior systemic venous return. The first case is an abnormal connection of right superior vena cava to the left atrium associated with persistent left superior vena cava draining into the right atrium through the coronary sinus. The second case is an interruption of the inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation, drained into the left superior vena cava, which drained into the left atrium. The diagnosis was imagistic - echocardiography and angiography. Surgical treatment solutions vary from one case to another, usually following anatomic correction. Hypoxia accompanied by cyanosis must bring into question the pathology of systemic venous drainage anomaly, after other common causes have been excluded. Surgery is indicated in all cases due to the risk associated with the presence of right-to-left shunt.

[Unroofed Coronary Sinus in an Adult; Report of a Case]

Unroofed coronary sinus( UCS) is a rare cardiac anomaly and the most uncommon type of atrial septal defect. It is rarely diagnosed by only echocardiography prior to surgery. We herein report a case of UCS (partially unroofed terminal portion) without persistent left superior vena cava that was precisely diagnosed by cardiac multi-detector low computed tomography (MDCT). A 50-year-old asymptomatic man was admitted for cardiac evaluation. A transesophageal echocardiography showed a left to right shunt at the atrial level. MDCT clearly showed a defect in the coronary sinus and lower part of the interatrial septum. At the time of surgery, the defect was closed using a Gore-Tex patch, such that the coronary sinus drained entirely into the left atrium. The postoperative course was uneventful. Cardiac MDCT provides accurate anatomic details about defects as well as the associated anomalies of the heart and pulmonary vasculature.

Relationship between severity of pulmonary hypertension and coronary sinus diameter

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationship between coronary sinus (CS) diameter and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and normal left ventricular systolic function.

METHODS

A total of 155 participants referred for transthoracic echocardiography were included in the study. The study population consisted of 100 patients with chronic PH and 55 control subjects. Patients with PH were divided into two groups according to PASP: those with PASP 36-45 mmHg, the mild PH group (n=53); and those with PASP >45 mmHg, the moderate to severe PH group (n=47). CS diameter was measured from the posterior atrioventricular groove in apical 4-chamber view during ventricular systole according to the formula: mean CS=(proximal CS+mid CS+distal CS)/3.

RESULTS

Mean CS diameter was significantly higher in the moderate to severe PH group than in the controls and in the mild PH group (1.12±0.2 cm vs. 0.82±0.1 cm and 0.87±0.1 cm, respectively; p<0.001). It was significantly correlated with right atrial (RA) area (r=0.674, p<0.001), RA pressure (r=0.458, p<0.001), PASP (r=0.562, p<0.001), inferior vena cava diameter (r=0.416, p<0.001), right ventricular E/A ratio (r=-0.290, p<0.001), and E/Em ratio (r=0.235, p=0.004). RA area (β=0.475, p<0.001) and PASP (β=0.360, p=0.002) were found to be independent predictors of CS diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

A dilated CS was associated with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, and RA area and PASP were independent predictors of CS diameter.

Prognostic significance of coronary sinus filling time in patients with angina and normal coronaries at one year follow up

BACKGROUND

Coronary sinus filling time (CSFT) has been proposed as a simple method for assessment of coronary microvascular function in patients with angina and normal coronaries. But its correlation with inducible ischemia and prognostic significance in predicting future cardiovascular events has not been studied. The present study assessed the prognostic significance of CSFT during one year of follow up.

METHODS

We compared coronary sinus filling time of patients with angina and normal coronaries with that of control population. Control group was formed by those patients with supraventricular arrhythmia undergoing radiofrequency ablation and having normal coronaries. Baseline treadmill test (TMT) parameters like workload, duration and Duke Score were assessed. Patients were followed up for one year and a composite of cardiovascular mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction was analyzed. Number of patients presenting to emergency or outpatient department with recurrent chest pain symptoms during one year follow up was considered for secondary outcome analysis. Coronary sinus filling time was analyzed with respect to cardiovascular events, repeat hospitalization for recurrent angina and TMT parameters.

RESULTS

Total 72 patients and 16 controls were studied. Mean CSFT value in the study group was 5.31 ± 1.03 sec and in the control group was 4.16 ± 0.72 sec and the difference was significant (p value = 0.0001). No correlation was found between baseline and repeat TMT parameters with CSFT. There was no cardiovascular mortality or hospitalization for non-fatal MI during one year follow up. But patients with frequent emergency or outpatient department visits with chest pain had a high CSFT compared with asymptomatic patients (p value = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Coronary sinus filling time may be used as a simple marker of microvascular dysfunction in patients with angina and normal coronaries. Patients with recurrent chest pain symptoms after one year follow up were found to have high CSFT compared to asymptomatic patients.

Positional desaturation due to persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare congenital anomaly whose prevalence is 0.3 % of general population. The majority of PLSVC drain into right atrium (RA) through the coronary sinus without clinical harm. However, in about 10 % of patients with PLSVC, it drains into left atrium (LA) causing right-to-left shunt. Here, we present a 60-year-old male patient with a PLSVC draining into LA, who developed dyspnea and desaturation depending on the body position after trans-catheter coil embolization of coronary to pulmonary artery fistulas. PLSVC draining into LA should be included in the differential diagnosis of positional desaturation.

Efficacy of a device to narrow the coronary sinus in refractory angina

BACKGROUND

Many patients with coronary artery disease who are not candidates for revascularization have refractory angina despite standard medical therapy. The balloon-expandable, stainless steel, hourglass-shaped, coronary-sinus reducing device creates a focal narrowing and increases pressure in the coronary sinus, thus redistributing blood into ischemic myocardium.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 104 patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class III or IV angina (on a scale from I to IV, with higher classes indicating greater limitations on physical activity owing to angina) and myocardial ischemia, who were not candidates for revascularization, to implantation of the device (treatment group) or to a sham procedure (control group). The primary end point was the proportion of patients with an improvement of at least two CCS angina classes at 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 35% of the patients in the treatment group (18 of 52 patients), as compared with 15% of those in the control group (8 of 52), had an improvement of at least two CCS angina classes at 6 months (P=0.02). The device was also associated with improvement of at least one CCS angina class in 71% of the patients in the treatment group (37 of 52 patients), as compared with 42% of those in the control group (22 of 52) (P=0.003). Quality of life as assessed with the use of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire was significantly improved in the treatment group, as compared with the control group (improvement on a 100-point scale, 17.6 vs. 7.6 points; P=0.03). There were no significant between-group differences in improvement in exercise time or in the mean change in the wall-motion index as assessed by means of dobutamine echocardiography. At 6 months, 1 patient in the treatment group had had a myocardial infarction; in the control group, 1 patient had died and 3 had had a myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small clinical trial, implantation of the coronary-sinus reducing device was associated with significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life in patients with refractory angina who were not candidates for revascularization. (Funded by Neovasc; COSIRA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01205893.).

Single coronary ostium in right coronary sinus: previously unreported "one for all" configuration

We report our identification of a single coronary ostium arising from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva, in a 63-year-old woman who presented with chest pain atypical of angina. Coronary angiograms showed that the left anterior descending coronary artery arose from a right ventricular branch and that the left circumflex coronary artery arose from a right posterolateral branch. Both arteries reconstituted themselves in a backward fashion from the apex to the base of the heart-a configuration that to our knowledge has not been reported. The patient was treated conservatively and reported no chest pain 24 months later.

Spontaneous bacterial coronary sinus septic thrombophlebitis treated successfully medically

A 38-year-old farmer was hospitalized for fever, chills, cough, and chest pain lasting for 7 days. Due to persistent symptoms, patient was referred to hospital. Blood cultures identified oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (OSSA). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed large pericardial effusion, a mobile heterogeneous mass originating from the coronary sinus ostium, no sign of valvular endocarditis. Pericardiocentesis was done carrying out purulent fluid, microbiological culture isolating an OSSA. Parenteral penicillin M was administered for 6 weeks. At the end of this antibiotherapy regimen, TTE showed no coronary sinus mass with complete vacuity of the coronary sinus vein and no pericardial effusion.

[Surgical treatment of unroofed coronary sinus coexisting with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; diagnosis by multidetector computed tomography; report of a case]

We experienced a rare case of an unroofed coronary sinus without a persistent left superior vena cava. A 55-year-old man, who was diagnosed with cerebral infarction, presented with suspected atrial septal defect (ASD) coexisting with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Before the operation, we diagnosed this case as coronary sinus ASD by contrast-enhanced coronary computed tomography (CT). There was a 20 mm segment of abnormal communication between the base of the left atrium and the roof of the coronary sinus. We repaired the defect by simple direct closure from the left atrium side, so that the coronary veins drained into the right atrium. The postoperative course was uneventful. Imaging played a crucial role in the diagnosis. Coronary CT angiography is well suited to help identify asymptomatic congenital heart disease.

Ultrasound of the fetal veins part 2: Veins at the cardiac level

In recent years the advent of high-resolution and color Doppler ultrasound has enabled a more comprehensive examination of the veins at the cardiac level. These veins include both the superior and inferior vena cava, the pulmonary veins, the azygos vein, the coronary sinus, and the brachiocephalic (or innominate) vein. This article gives a review of the normal and abnormal conditions of the cardiac venous system. Normal anatomy and abnormal findings of these veins are demonstrated by grayscale and color Doppler. Three groups of anomalies are presented: 1) the interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos continuity, 2) the left persisting superior vena cava and 3) the total and partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections. Many of these abnormal findings can be detected by a dedicated examination of the veins during fetal echocardiography, but some anomalies are detectable by focusing on indirect signs such as the compensatory dilation of other veins.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography elucidates the effect of pacing site on left ventricular synchronization in the normal and infarcted rat myocardium

Background

Right ventricular (RV) pacing generates regional disparities in electrical activation and mechanical function (ventricular dyssynchrony). In contrast, left ventricular (LV) or biventricular (BIV) pacing can improve cardiac efficiency in the setting of ventricular dyssynchrony, constituting the rationale for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Animal models of ventricular dyssynchrony and CRT currently relay on large mammals which are expensive and not readily available to most researchers. We developed a methodology for double-site epicardial pacing in conscious rats. Here, following post-operative recovery, we compared the effects of various pacing modes on LV dyssynchrony in normal rats and in rats with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Methods

Two bipolar electrodes were implanted in rats as follows: Group A (n = 6) right atrial (RA) and RV sites; Group B (n = 7) RV and LV sites; Group C (n = 8) as in group B in combination with left coronary artery ligation. Electrodes were exteriorized through the back. Following post-operative recovery, two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed during pacing through the different electrodes. Segmental systolic circumferential strain (Ecc) was used to evaluate LV dyssynchrony.

Results

In normal rats, RV pacing induced marked LV dyssynchrony compared to RA pacing or sinus rhythm, as measured by the standard deviation (SD) of segmental time to peak Ecc, SD of peak Ecc, and the average delay between opposing ventricular segments. LV pacing and, to a greater extend BIV pacing diminished the LV dyssynchrony compared to RV pacing. In rats with extensive MI, the effects of LV and BIV pacing were markedly attenuated, and the response of individual animals was variable.

Conclusions

Rodent cardiac pacing mimics important features seen in humans. This model may be developed as a simple new tool to study the pathophysiology of ventricular dyssynchrony and CRT.

Prevalence and characters of anomalous coronary artery from coronary magnetic resonance angiography

BACKGROUND

Many types of anomalous coronary artery have been reported. Some forms of the anomaly are potentially malignant and can lead to sudden death.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and characters of anomalous coronary artery, including the associations of myocardial ischemia.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This is a retrospective study. The authors enrolled patients who were referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and had magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) images. Imaging of the coronary arteries was acquired. The presence and patterns of anomalous coronary artery and the presence of myocardial ischemia was recorded. Myocardial perfusion study was also performed in most patients using adenosine stress test.

RESULTS

Anomalous coronary artery was detected in 56 out of 3,703 patients (1.51%). There were 24 men (42.9%). Average age was 62.1 +/- 15.0 years. Most common type was right coronary artery (RCA) from left coronary cusp. Malignant form was demonstrated in 31 patients (55.4%) and myocardial ischemia was detected in 10 patients (23.3%).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of anomalous coronary artery was 1.5%. Most common types were RCA from left coronary cusp (30%) and high take-off RCA (30%).

Aberrant drainage of the umbilical vein into the coronary sinus without ductus venosus agenesis

We describe a case series of 4 fetuses with ectopic connections of the ductus venosus to the coronary sinus detected prospectively between August 2011 and February 2012 in 2 congenital cardiologic centers. An enlarged coronary sinus alerted the sonographer. Fetal echocardiography showed ectopic connection of the ductus venosus in an enlarged coronary sinus in all 4 cases. To our knowledge, this anatomic form of ectopic umbilical vein drainage has not previously been reported. The infants were doing well. This venous variant should be considered in cases of isolated coronary sinus dilatation after elimination of a left superior vena cava and a totally anomalous pulmonary vein connection.

Coronary sinus anatomy: Ajmer Working Group Classification

BACKGROUND

Coronary sinus (CS) anatomy is a major predictor of successful implantation of left ventricular (LV) lead and procedural outcome. We therefore made an attempt to look at the CS anatomy and possible feasibility to classify them into categories depending upon their size, branching pattern, location of posterolateral vein (PLV), and other parameters in order to guide the cardiologist for successful cannulation of the CS and LV lead implantation.

METHODS

We analyzed the levophase angiograms of patients (n = 100) undergoing routine coronary angiography in the right anterior oblique view. We have made an attempt to classify these observations on the basis of predetermined parameters and a working classification was brought out for the ease of the operator and to predict the bottlenecks of the procedure.

OBSERVATIONS

On the basis of predetermined parameters, venograms obtained from 100 patients were analyzed and findings were divided into three groups depending upon the ease of cannulation of posterolateral vein for LV lead placement. These 3 groups were further classified as type I, type II, and type III coronary sinuses.

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study proposes a new anatomical working classification for CS for purposes of successful LV lead placement and optimal operative success.

Sparse appearance learning based automatic coronary sinus segmentation in CTA

Interventional cardiologists are often challenged by a high degree of variability in the coronary venous anatomy during coronary sinus cannulation and left ventricular epicardial lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), making it important to have a precise and fully-automatic segmentation solution for detecting the coronary sinus. A few approaches have been proposed for automatic segmentation of tubular structures utilizing various vesselness measurements. Although working well on contrasted coronary arteries, these methods fail in segmenting the coronary sinus that has almost no contrast in computed tomography angiography (CTA) data, making it difficult to distinguish from surrounding tissues. In this work we propose a multiscale sparse appearance learning based method for estimating vesselness towards automatically extracting the centerlines. Instead of modeling the subtle discrimination at the low-level intensity, we leverage the flexibility of sparse representation to model the inherent spatial coherence of vessel/background appearance and derive a vesselness measurement. After centerline extraction, the coronary sinus lumen is segmented using a learning based boundary detector and Markov random field (MRF) based optimal surface extraction. Quantitative evaluation on a large cardiac CTA dataset (consisting of 204 3D volumes) demonstrates the superior accuracy of the proposed method in both centerline extraction and lumen segmentation, compared to the state-of-the-art.