August 3, 1999Circulation159 citationsOpen Access
Living Anatomy of the Atrioventricular Junctions. A Guide to Electrophysiologic Mapping
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Key Result
A new anatomically sound nomenclature for the atrioventricular junctions has been proposed by a consensus of experts to improve the description of atrial and ventricular mapping.
Key Points
- This work aims to develop a new nomenclature for the atrioventricular junctions that addresses existing deficiencies in current conventions.
- Developed a consensus document by experts from relevant cardiology societies.
- Assessed current nomenclature limitations and proposed an anatomically sound alternative.
- Discussed implications for atrial and ventricular mapping.
- The new nomenclature clarifies the positional relationships of key anatomical structures.
- Improved accuracy in mapping procedures for arrhythmias-related treatment.
- Facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the AV junctions for clinical use.
PICO
P
Population
Arrhythmias
I
Intervention / Comparator
New anatomical nomenclature vs Current nomenclature
Abstract
Current nomenclature for the atrioventricular (AV) junctions derives from a surgically distorted view, placing the valvar rings and the triangle of Koch in a single plane with antero-posterior and right-left lateral coordinates. Within this convention, the aorta is considered to occupy an anterior position, although the mouth of the coronary sinus is shown as being posterior. Although this nomenclature has served its purpose for the description and treatment of arrhythmias dependent on accessory pathways and atrioventricular nodal reentry, it is less than satisfactory for the description of atrial and ventricular mapping. To correct these deficiencies, a consensus document has been prepared by experts from the Working Group of Arrhythmias of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. It proposes a new anatomically sound nomenclature that will be applicable to all chambers of the heart. In this report, we discuss its value for description of the AV junctions, establishing the principles of this new nomenclature.
Cite This Study
Cosío et al. (1999) conducted a review in Arrhythmias. New anatomical nomenclature vs. Current nomenclature was evaluated. A new anatomically sound nomenclature for the atrioventricular junctions has been proposed by a consensus of experts to improve the description of atrial and ventricular mapping.