ABSTRACT

ANATOMY OF THE CARDIAC VEINS Terminology of the Cardiac Venous System Descriptions of the cardiac venous system can be confusing. What is the difference between the great cardiac vein (GCV) and theCS?What name should be used to describe the location of a pacing lead, or to indicate a vein that is unsuitable because of diaphragmatic stimulation? These questions arise because most clinicians learn to performcatheter-basedprocedureswithout the benefit of a structured, anatomical background. Therefore, this section begins with an overview of the cardiac venous terminology (Fig. 15.1). We will see that the distinction between the CS and epicardial veins is not arbitrary. A correct use of terminology indicates a precise understanding of anatomy.