A Chiari Network and Difficult Cannulation of the Coronary Sinus for Retrograde Perfusion

Imaging assessment of the right atrium: anatomy and function

The right atrium (RA) is the cardiac chamber that has been least well studied. Due to recent advances in interventional cardiology, the need for greater understanding of the RA anatomy and physiology has garnered significant attention. In this article, we review how a comprehensive assessment of RA dimensions and function using either echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging may be used as a first step towards a better understanding of RA pathophysiology. The recently published normative data on RA size and function will likely shed light on RA atrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a complex phenomenon that occurs in both atria but has only been studied in depth in the left atrium. Changes in RA structure and function have prognostic implications in pulmonary hypertension (PH), where the increased right ventricular (RV) afterload first induces RV remodelling, predominantly characterized by hypertrophy. As PH progresses, RV dysfunction and dilatation may begin and eventually lead to RV failure. Thereafter, RV overload and increased RV stiffness may lead to a proportional increase in RA pressure. This manuscript provides an in-depth review of RA anatomy, function, and haemodynamics with particular emphasis on the changes in structure and function that occur in AF, tricuspid regurgitation, and PH.

Chiari network diagnosis intraoperative based on echocardiography

We report a case of a Chiari network as a possible cause of intraoperative supraventricular tachycardia with potential cardiac flow obstruction and hemodynamic collapse. The intraoperative diagnostic analysis considered detects cardiac abnormalities associated to this congenital remnant and discard common intraoperative causes of hemodynamic alterations.

Chiari network diagnosis intraoperative based on echocardiography

We report a case of a Chiari network as a possible cause of intraoperative supraventricular tachycardia with potential cardiac flow obstruction and hemodynamic collapse. The intraoperative diagnostic analysis considered detects cardiac abnormalities associated to this congenital remnant and discard common intraoperative causes of hemodynamic alterations.

Anatomical barriers in the right atrium to the coronary sinus cannulation

Background. The coronary venous system is an increasingly frequent target of minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The purpose of this paper is to assess the anatomical barriers in the right atrium to coronary sinus cannulation.

Methods. We examined the anatomy of the right atrium, coronary sinus ostium, inferior and superior vena cava ostia in 110 randomly selected autopsied human hearts of both sexes (27% females; mean age 49.2 ± 17.5 years).

Results. The Eustachian valve was present in 79 cases (71.8%) with mean height =4.9 ± 2.6 mm. The valve was perforated in 11 cases (13.9%). It is typically too small to hinder the coronary sinus catheterization, but in some cases (about 2%) a significantly protruding valve may be an obstacle. Chiari’s network (4.6%) is not a barrier to catheter entry into the right atrium but may significantly impede further catheter manipulations inside the heart venous system. A typical Thebesian valve leaves enough space for the passage of the standard catheter to the coronary sinus.

Discussion. Detailed anatomy of various anatomical structures within the right atrium that could play a potential role in coronary sinus cannulation is discussed.

Chiari network: A case report and brief overview

The Chiari network is mobile, net-like structures occasionally seen in right atrium near the opening of inferior vena cava and coronary sinus. This is usually of no clinical significance and is often diagnosed incidentally. However, sometimes it may cause diagnostic confusion with right atrial pathologies, and may favour thromboembolism by causing flow obstruction. It may be associated with infective endocarditis, arrhythmias, and migraine. Sometimes, it acts as a physical barrier during invasive procedures. The Chiari network has also been described to protect from pulmonary embolism by acting as an inferior vena cava filter due to its sieve-like effect at the cavo-atrial junction. Here, the Chiari network has been described in a case of Ebstein anomaly of tricuspid valve which produced diagnostic confusion during echocardiography. A brief overview has also been presented.