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Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology

Published in:

01-01-2011

Anatomical correlates relevant to ablation above the semilunar valves for the cardiac electrophysiologist: a study of 603 hearts

Authors: Apoor S. Gami, Amit Noheria, Nirusha Lachman, William D. Edwards, Paul A. Friedman, Deepak Talreja, Stephen C. Hammill, Thomas M. Munger, Douglas L. Packer, Samuel J. Asirvatham

Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Introduction

Certain outflow tract tachyarrhythmias require ablation above the semilunar valves. Understanding of the regional anatomy of these arrhythmogenic sites is required to avoid complications.

Methods and results

We examined 603 formalin-fixed autopsy hearts from October 1998 to July 2003. Three hundred forty-two of 603 (57%) had myocardial extensions above the aortic valve, and 446 of 602 (74%) had extensions above the pulmonary valve. Extensions were noted above the aortic right coronary cusp (RCC) in 332 of 603 (55%; 2.8 ± 1.2 mm), left coronary cusp (LCC) in 145 of 603 (24%; 1.5 ± 0.5 mm), and non-coronary/posterior cusp in four of 603 (0.66%; 1.3 ± 0.5 mm; p < 0.0001), intercuspally in 295 of 603 (49%; 2.2 ± 1.1 mm) and into the cusps in 13 of 603 (2.2%). Extensions were noted above the pulmonary right cusp in 360 of 602 (60%; 4.0 ± 2.5 mm), posterior/left cusp in 313 of 602 (52%; 3.6 ± 2.1 mm), and anterior cusp in 268 of 602 (45%; 3.7 ± 2.2 mm; p < 0.0001), intercuspally in 438 of 602 (73%; 3.4 ± 1.8 mm) and into the cusps in ten of 602 (1.7%). The left main coronary artery was closer to the myocardial extensions above the nearest pulmonary valve cusp (posterior) than those above the nearest aortic valve cusp (LCC; 4.8 ± 1.7 vs. 16.3 ± 3.3 mm, p = 0.0005).

Conclusion

Myocardial extensions are common into the great arteries above the semilunar cusps and intercuspally, and rarely into the cusps themselves. The extensions are larger and more symmetric above the pulmonary cusps as compared to the aortic cusps, the most prominent aortic extensions being above the RCC. The left main coronary artery courses close to the extensions above the posterior pulmonary cusp.

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Title: Anatomical correlates relevant to ablation above the semilunar valves for the cardiac electrophysiologist: a study of 603 hearts
Authors: Apoor S. Gami
Amit Noheria
Nirusha Lachman
William D. Edwards
Paul A. Friedman
Deepak Talreja
Stephen C. Hammill
Thomas M. Munger
Douglas L. Packer
Samuel J. Asirvatham
Publication date: 01-01-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1383-875X
Electronic ISSN: 1572-8595
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-010-9523-3

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Introduction

Methods and results

Conclusion

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