Abstract 20472: Anatomical Characteristics of the Superior Epigastric Artery for Epicardial Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Introduction: After bifurcating from the internal thoracic artery, the superior epigastric artery (SEA) exits from the thoracic cage, then runs along the costal margin. Epicardial radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the ventricular arrhythmias via the subxiphoid approach, therefore, has a potential risk of the SEA injury. The aim of this study is to clarify the anatomical characteristics of the SEA. Methods and Results: Between January and May 2015, consecutive 39 patients (58.4 ± 15.9 years; 30.8% women) who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography in our institution were retrospectively investigated. In addition to multi-planar reconstruction images, volume-rendered images around the subxiphoid region, including the costal arch, sternum, bilateral internal thoracic arteries, and bilateral SEAs, were reconstructed to perform the following measurements (Figure). The infrasternal angle (a) was 77.2 ± 16.5°. The distances between the summit of the infrasternal angle and the exit sites of r...