Regularities of variability in the anatomical structure of the left atrium in persons of different body types

Attention of cardiac surgeons and arrhythmologists are the ostia of the pulmonary veins, which are the place of the formation of trigger points during the development of atrial fibrillation. Data on the variability of the anatomical structure of the left atrium are scarce and are often contradictory, which makes it relevant to study the variability of the structure of the left atrium in the aspect of constitutional anatomy. Purpose of the study: to establish patterns of variability in the structure of the left atrium, taking into account body type. Materials and methods: The study is based on an analysis of the results of contrast-enhanced MSCT of the heart in 105 apparently healthy individuals. Results: Analyzing the data obtained on the types of confluence of the pulmonary veins (PV) into the left atrium, it was found that in individuals of all body types, the flow of the 4-ostia pulmonary veins into the cavity of the left vertex occurs in the largest percentage of cases. Among the examined individuals, the following 7 variants of the anatomical structure of the left atrium with different frequencies of occurrence were identified: 1) typical confluence of the PV in combination with the oval shape of the orifice of the left appendage; 2) typical confluence of the PV in combination with the round shape of the mouth of the left atrium (LA) appendage; 3) confluence of the PV with a common collector on the left side in combination with the round shape of the mouth of the LA appendage; 4) confluence of the PV with a common collector on both sides in combination with the oval shape of the mouth of the LA appendage; 5) confluence of the PV with a common collector on both sides in combination with the round shape of the mouth of the LA appendage; 6) typical confluence of the PV in combination with the accessory pulmonary vein and the oval shape of the orifice of the LA appendage; 7) typical confluence of the PV in combination with the accessory pulmonary vein and the round shape of the auricle.