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Fig. 1A —62-year-old man with chest pain. Anatomic course of S-shaped
SAN artery. Axial CT scan at level of left atrial appendage (LAA) (A)
and left lateral 3D CT scans in two different projections (B and
C) of heart show that on axial images, S-shaped posterior sinoatrial
node (SAN) artery (large arrows, A-C) can easily be identified
where it courses between LAA and left superior pulmonary vein (LSPV). Artery
arises from proximal left circumflex artery and courses along lateral wall of
left atrium. It usually gives off branches to atrial wall (small
arrows, B) before making U-turn toward LAA-LSPV groove. In groove,
SAN artery is very close to atrial wall (arrow, A) and can be
damaged in surgical procedures on LAA or pulmonary vein isolation procedures.
From this point, anatomic course of S-shaped SAN artery is similar to that of
left SAN artery, which courses toward superior vena cava along anterior wall
of left atrium. LPV = left pulmonary vein trunk, AA = ascending aorta.