ANATOMICAL PATTERNS OF THE ARTERIOVENOUS TRIANGLE (BROCQ-MOUCHET) IN THE ADULT HUMAN HEART

Abstract

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Aim. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between the branches of the left coronary artery with the great cardiac vein (GCV). Circumflex artery (CA), anterior interventricular artery (AIA) and GCV form the arterio-venous triangle beneath the left auricle. Material and Methods. Thirty two formalin-fixed adult human hearts were examined. Results and Discussion. The arterio-venous triangle was formed in 29 (91%) specimens. Mostly (n=19; 66%) there was «open inferiorly» triangle with the GCV and AIA went in parallel. In the coronary groove the GCV ran over (n=12) or under (n=7) the CA. In 4 cases diagonal artery entered the «open inferiorly» triangle and crossed GCV. Three patterns of the arterio-venous relationship were observed at the 6 of 29 hearts (21%) with «completely closed» triangle. In four cases the GCV was under the AIA and superiorly to the CA. In one specimen the GCV was located superiorly to the both arteries, and in one case the GCV was superiorly to the AIA and under the CA. Conclusions. «Completely open» triangle was in 4 cases. An «open superiorly» triangle was absent.