Anat Cell Biol.  2019 Jun;52(2):191-195. 10.5115/acb.2019.52.2.191.

An innovative method in venous coronary cast technique

• Shanthini
• Suma HY

• KMID: 2451223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2019.52.2.191

Abstract

Polyurethane foam (PU foam) is a new material which is being used in producing both macro-anatomical and micro-anatomical specimens. PU foam is simple to use, without need for special equipment. The present study was carried out to evaluate morphology of coronary sinus and its tributaries. During the study, we encountered few problems in carrying out injections. Coronary sinus and its tributaries were difficult to cannulate since the coronary sinus lacks a vascular stem, around which ligature can be tied before injection so that the cannula can be held in place. In contrast, in majority of the organs it is easy to inject since they possess tubular vascular stem to hold the cannula in place. A new device was developed which could be used to cannulate coronary sinus orifice to inject the casting media. The second problem we faced was saponification of adipose tissue. This made corrosion of the soft tissue difficult. Hence in this study, we describe the device we have developed to place in the coronary sinus orifice, and how saponified adipose tissue was taken care during the actual maceration step.

Keyword

Coronary sinus; Corrosion cast; PU foam; Triton X; Coronary vessels

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Catheters
Coronary Sinus
Coronary Vessels
Corrosion
Ligation
Methods*
Polyurethanes
Polyurethanes

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Steps in the development of device. a, parts of endotracheal (ET) tube; b, syringe being attached; c, positioning of the device in the coronary sinus (CS) orifice.

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  Fig. 2 The interior of right atrium (RA) is opened and device is shown in position inside the coronary sinus orifice. The coronary veins appear blue, due to the colored resin inside them.

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  Fig. 3 Saponified fat on the cast surface.

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  Fig. 4 Final cast. (A) Left oblique view of the heart cast. (B) Diaphragmatic surface of the heart cast. The veins are blue and arteries are red.

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