SIR 2024
Arterial Interventions and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Tahir Ramzan, BA
Medical Student
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Financial relationships: Full list of relationships is listed on the CME information page.
Tahina Ahmed, BS
Medical Student
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Disclosure information not submitted.
Blake Gershon, MD
Interventional Radiology Resident
Weill Cornel Medicine
Disclosure information not submitted.
Samuel Marquez, PhD
Professor & Co-Director of Gross Anatomy
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Disclosure information not submitted.
A total of 25 (50 limbs) medically embalmed donor bodies designated for the gross anatomy courses at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University were reviewed. The study included a mixed-sex sample of donor bodies that were obtained from a predominately geriatric population, ages ranging between 65-81. Bilateral measurements and comparisons were made for each donor body.
All measurements were obtained using a Mitutoyo 500-196-30 caliper with a resolution of 0.01 mm and an accuracy of ± 0.02 mm. A reference line was established using wooden rods with a diameter of 2.00 mm from a landmark. Digital calipers were used to measure the ostia of the branching vessel in relation to each reference point. Two sets of data were obtained based on the reference point. In Set A, the reference point was derived from the medial border of the coracoid process and Set B was derived from the medial border of teres major. Seven branching vessels were analyzed due to their supply to the shoulder girdle: the anterior circumflex humeral artery (ACHA), posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA), subscapular artery (SSA), lateral thoracic artery (LTA), thoracoacromial artery (TAT), superior thoracic artery (STA), and thyrocervical trunk (TCT).
Results:
Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 out of 38 donors were examined. Six unique branching patterns (Types I-VI) were identified on 50 axillary arteries dissections (Table 1). Right vs left paired t-test analysis of the mean distances of branching vessels from the reference points in each set revealed no significant difference.
Conclusion:
Amidst increasing interest in TAE for chronic inflammatory joint pain, more background data collected on the anatomical regions may help proceduralists navigate the appropriate vessels and reduce major complications of the procedure when applied to less familiar areas. The study presented serves to add to the limited research on the axillary artery, the common branching variations, and the different lengths along which these branches originate from the axillary artery. Future angiographic studies will help better understand the three-dimensional take-offs of the ostia as well as correlate with the cadaveric findings presented here.