Anatomic study of the right coronary artery in pigs. Feature review in comparison with the human artery

A few studies conducted on the morphology of coronary arteries in pigs emphasize the description of its course and number of branches. The objective of this study was to determine the anatomic expression of the right coronary artery (RCA) in pigs of commercial stock. One hundred and fifty eight hearts obtained from pigs destined to sacrifice were studied. The RCA were perfused with polyester resin (Palatal 85% and Styrene 15%) and then subjected to KOH infusion for 5 minutes to release the subepicardial fat. Diameters were measured and courses were evaluated. Results: The diameter of the RCA in its proximal portion was 3.85 mm (SD 0.75). The right artery of the cone originated from the RCA in 100 specimens (63.3%) and from the aorta (third coronary) in 8 specimens (5.1%). The posterior interventricular branch (PIB) reached the apex in the majority of the cases (49.3%). Its proximal diameter was 2.75 mm (SD 0.61). The sinoatrial node branch (SAB) and the atrioventricular node branch (AVNB) originated from the RCA in 100% of the specimens. The diameters of the SAB and AVNB were 1.1 mm (SD 0.30) and 1.16 mm (SD 0.30), respectively. The posterior right diagonal branch was not observed. There is an agreement with most prior studies with respect to both SAB and AVNB emerging from the RCA. Morphometric and qualitative knowledge of the RCA and its branches in pigs is relevant for the design of procedural and hemodynamic models.