Contribution to the study of the blood supply of the sinus node in rabbits (New Zeland)

Abstract

The arterial blood-supply of the sinuatrial node has been studied in 50 rabbits (26 females and 24 males). In 26 (52.0% ± 7.0) hearts examined, the sinus node received only the ramus proximalis atrii sinistri collateral of the a. coronaria sinistra. In 22 (44-0% ± 7.0) animals, the sinus node was exclusively nourished by collaterals of the a. coronaria dextra; in 20 cases (40.0% ± 6.9) only by the ramus proximalis atrii dextri and in 2 cases (4.0% ± 2.7) by the latter and the ramus intermedius atrii dextri. In the remaining 2 cases (4.0% ± 2.7) both the rami proximalis atrii sinistri and proximalis atrii dextri respectively originated from the a. coronaria sinistra and, a. coronaria dextra nourished the sinus node area. The AA. did not observe arterial anastomosis among the vessels involved in the sinus node arterial vascularization.