Key result
In 50 cadaveric hearts, the valve of the coronary sinus covered <50% of the ostium in 35 cases and contained layers of myocardium even in rudimentary forms.
Observational (n=50)
The valve of the coronary sinus is highly variable and usually covers less than 50% of the ostium, suggesting it is unlikely to play a major role in preventing reflux.
Coronary sinus valve variability may limit reflux protection during cannulation; leaves open its functional role pending in vivo studies.
The valve of the coronary sinus was studied in 50 hearts from dissection room cadavers. It varied from a flap that covered up to 70% of the ostium of the coronary sinus, to a few small strands of tissue. In 3 cases no valve was present. In most cases (35 out of 50), the valve covered <50% of the ostium of the coronary sinus, so it is unlikely to play an important role in preventing reflux into the coronary sinus. Microscopically, the valve was found to contain layers of myocardium, most of which disappeared in the less well formed valves, but some myocardium was persistent even in the most rudimentary valves studied.
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Felle et al. (1994) conducted an observational in Anatomy of the valve of the coronary sinus (n=50). Anatomical examination of the valve of the coronary sinus was evaluated on Anatomy and coverage of the ostium of the coronary sinus by the thebesian valve. In 50 cadaveric hearts, the valve of the coronary sinus covered <50% of the ostium in 35 cases and contained layers of myocardium even in rudimentary forms.
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