Vessel
Atrioventricular nodal artery
A small coronary branch serving atrioventricular conduction tissue
High-yield
A right coronary origin is common, not universal; a fixed 90 percent figure hides differences between studies.
Overview
The AV nodal artery usually arises from the distal right coronary system near the crux, but circumflex and other local origins occur. It passes toward the AV junction and supplies nodal tissue. Its exact branching and relationship to nearby coronary vessels vary.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Usually the distal right coronary system; a circumflex origin occurs in a minority
- Course
- From the crux region toward the AV nodal area through the inferior junctional tissues
- Branches
- A variable small branching pattern, sometimes with no distinct secondary branches
- Supplies
- AV nodal tissue and variable adjacent atrial or proximal conducting tissue
- Drains to
- Local cardiac venous channels carry the supplied tissue's blood toward atrial chambers or the coronary sinus
Clinical correlation
Compromised AV nodal perfusion can contribute to conduction block. Blocks accompanying myocardial infarction may involve nodal or more distal tissue, so one response to medication cannot be assumed.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the atrioventricular nodal artery originate?
Usually the distal right coronary system; a circumflex origin occurs in a minority.
What does the atrioventricular nodal artery supply?
The atrioventricular nodal artery supplies the AV nodal tissue and variable adjacent atrial or proximal conducting tissue.
Where does the atrioventricular nodal artery drain to?
The atrioventricular nodal artery drains to the local cardiac venous channels carry the supplied tissue's blood toward atrial chambers or the coronary sinus.
What are the branches of the atrioventricular nodal artery?
A variable small branching pattern, sometimes with no distinct secondary branches.