Study of variations in the draining pattern of pulmonary veins in left atrium

Abstract               Background: Pulmonary veins carry blood from lungs to the left atrium. Normally four pulmonary veins are present (2 right and 2 left). Variations in the number of pulmonary veins act as electrical focus for triggering arrhythmia. In the present study we evaluated draining pattern of pulmonary veins in 33 formalin fixed hearts Aims and objective: To study variation in draining pattern of pulmonary veins in 33 cadaveric hearts Materials and method: We studied the draining pattern of pulmonary veins into left atrium in 33 formalin fixed hearts. Pulmonary venous openings in left atrium were observed and categorized as right superior, right inferior, left superior and left inferior. When more than four pulmonary veins were found then the number of pulmonary veins and the manner of their opening into the left atrium was noted. Results: We found variations in 13 hearts out of total 33 hearts. Variations were more common on right side (39.39%) than on left side (9.09%). Maximum number of pulmonary veins reported on right side were 4(12.12%) whereas on left side were 3 (3%). Most common variation on right side was the presence of 3 pulmonary veins with 3 ostia which is found in 18.2% of cases while on left side the most common variation was the presence of three pulmonary veins with 2 ostia which is found in 3% of cases. Conclusion: Variation in draining pattern of pulmonary veins is not rare. Knowledge of pulmonary venous anatomy will be helpful for radiologist and surgeons for finding exact ectopic focus causing arrhythmia in radiofrequency ablation procedure for arrhythmia.

Key Word: pulmonary veins, left atrium, arrhythmia