A Rare Variant of the Great Cardiac Vein Draining Directly into the Superior Vena Cava

Abstract

Objective: A routine dissection of the cadaver of a 67-year-old man revealed a very rare morphological variant of the great cardiac vein (GCV). Presentation: The vein originated in the upper third of the anterior interventricular sulcus, crossed the anterior interventricular artery superficially, ran beneath the circumflex artery, crossed the transverse pericardial sinus, and drained directly into the superior vena cava. Conclusion: This variant of the GCV is interesting due to its rarity. It is important to know about it for procedures that require venous access such as coronary surgery requiring retrograde cardioplegia, surgical ablation of aberrant conducting pathways, pacemaker insertion, and valve surgery.