Morphological and Clinical Significance of Thebesian Valve Guarding Ostium of Coronary Sinus

Abstract

Abstract Background The advent of novel therapeutic techniques require cannulation of coronary sinus. The Thebesian valve guarding the ostium of coronary sinus can pose practical difficulties during such procedures. Aim With this background we undertook a detailed study of the morphological features of Thebesian valve, so that we can substantially evaluate the clinicoanatomical importance of it. Materials and Methods Fifty human dissected cadaveric heart specimens were selected from the department of anatomy, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad. The location of ostium of coronary sinus and the occurrence of the Thebesian valve and its shape, composition, and extent of occlusion of the ostium were carefully observed and noted. Results Our observations revealed that 90% of specimens had the Thebesian valve guarding the opening of coronary sinus. It was semilunar in shape in 74% of specimens. The valve was membranous in composition in 46% of specimens. Among these, in 26% of specimens the valve almost covered more than 50% of the ostium of coronary sinus indicating moderate to severe occlusion.