Sinus node artery originating from the posterior part of the right coronary artery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the anatomical variations of the sinus node artery (SNA).

METHODS

Gross anatomical examination, angiographic evaluation and if necessary dissection were performed in 200 human hearts derived from victims of various accidents.

RESULTS

The SNA was a branch of the right coronary artery in 118 [59%] cases, the left circumflex in 78 [39%] cases and both coronary arteries in 4 [2%] cases. In one subject, the SNA was found to arise from the distal part of the right coronary artery.

CONCLUSIONS

In our case, the sinus node was perfused by a SNA arising from the mid-posterior segment of the right coronary artery. Knowledge of this anatomical variation is useful for anatomists and of clinical significance for the interventional cardiologists and mainly for the cardiac surgeons in planning the surgical procedures.