From the Research
The transverse pericardial sinus functions as a crucial anatomical passage within the pericardium, allowing for the isolation of great vessels during cardiac surgery, as evident from the study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2023 1. The transverse pericardial sinus is a tunnel-like space located posterior to the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk but anterior to the superior vena cava and right pulmonary veins. Its primary clinical significance lies in cardiac surgery, where surgeons can pass a finger or surgical instrument through this space to separate the aorta and pulmonary artery from the rest of the heart structures, facilitating the placement of vascular clamps during procedures like valve replacements or coronary artery bypass grafting. This anatomical feature exists because of how the heart develops embryologically, with the great vessels becoming enveloped by the pericardial sac while maintaining this potential space. Understanding the transverse pericardial sinus is essential for cardiac surgeons as it provides a natural surgical plane that helps minimize trauma to surrounding structures during complex cardiac operations. Key points to consider include:
- The transverse pericardial sinus can be classified into four types: Concave, Wine-type, Straight, and Convex, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2023 1.
- The most common type of transverse sinus is Concave, with a median volume of 14.8 mL and a median length of 52.8 mm, as reported in the same study 1.
- The clinical anatomy of the pericardial sinuses has not been thoroughly studied, but recent research aims to provide a classification of the oblique and transverse sinuses, as seen in the study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2023 1.
- The transverse pericardial sinus is also discussed in other studies, such as the one published in Clinical Anatomy in 2017 2, which explores the anatomy of the transverse pericardial sinus and associated recesses, but the most recent and highest quality study is the one published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2023 1.