The site of origin and the sequence of atrial activation were studied in 21 open-chested dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Bipolar plunge electrodes were used to record atrial electrograms simultaneously with surface lead II and His bundle electrogram. In sinus rhythm the sinus node was activated first, followed sequentially by Bachmann's bundle, right atrial appendix, left atrial ap...

To examine whether acute myocardial ischemia activates the coagulation system and platelet activation in the coronary circulation, we measured plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A and beta-thromboglobulin in the coronary sinus and the aortic root simultaneously in 15 patients with coronary spastic angina before and after the left coronary spasm induced by intracoronary injection of acetylcholine a...

Angiotensin II elicits contractile responses in the coronary arteries and myocardial tissue, which suggests that blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by specific agents should lead to both coronary vasodilation and an alteration of left ventricular inotropism. The present work was designed to delineate--independently from its systemic effects--the intrinsic actions of an angiotensin convert...

the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (rca) as a branch from the left anterior descending artery (lad) is a very rare variation of the single coronary artery anomaly. the anomalous vessel arises from the proximal or midportion of the lad and courses anterior to the pulmonary artery trunk in most instances. in this case report, a 61-year-old woman is introduced who underwent coronary...

To determine whether percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) would lead to neutrophil activation with subsequent discharge of proteolytic enzymes, like elastase, and oxygen free radicals, like superoxide anion, blood samples were taken from the coronary sinus and aorta in 14 patients with stable angina and one-vessel disease who underwent PTCA. Neutrophils were separated by means ...

QuickSite (St Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA, USA) is a silicone and polyurethane-insulated coronary sinus pacing lead. Riata lead (St Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA, USA) is a silicone insulated right ventricular shock lead. Recently, insulation breach of silicone based leads raised a huge concern. Fluoroscopic examination of these two leads in the same patient revealed externalization of these two leads....

Anatomic variations of the orifice of the human coronary sinus now have practical significance since the advent of catheterization of the coronary sinus. Six main types of variation of the valve of the coronary sinus of 150 hearts are described. The difficulties encountered in catheterization of the human coronary sinus are probably due to obstruction offered by large membranes, bars and networ...

Successful Implantation of the Left Ventricular Pacing Lead in the Postero-Lateral Cardiac Vein After Coronary Sinus Dissection During Biventricular Pacing SkevoS SideriS, StefanoS archontakiS, konStantinoS GatzouliS, PolychroniS dilaveriS, ioanniS vlaSeroS, ioanniS kallikazaroS, chriStodouloS StefanadiS State Cardiology Division, First University Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General ...

Adenosine release by the myocardium has been linked to a decrease in myocardial oxygen content and has been implicated in producing the concomitant increase in coronary flow. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and histamine increase myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary flow. Nitroglycerin on the other hand, increases coronary flow but does not increase oxygen consumption. The purpose of the pre...

We report a case of successful implantation of an additional defibrillation lead into the coronary sinus due to high defibrillation threshold (DFT) in a seriously ill patient with a history of extensive myocardial infarction referred for implantable cardioverter- defibrillator implantation after an episode of unstable ventricular tachycardia. All previous attempts to reduce DFT, including subcu...