The valve of Vieussens is one of two valves of the coronary sinus, which can be found at the junction to the great cardiac vein in the majority of individuals and might be of clinical importance for specific cardiac catheterization procedures.
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Variant anatomy
It can be found in 60-90% of individuals 1-3. In the majority of cases, the valve features one leaflet. In a lesser proportion of individuals, two leaflets are present and only in a minority are three leaflets found. A concave shape seems to be more common than a flat leaflet 3.
Radiographic features
CT
On cardiac CT the valve can be visualized as a hypodense structure sticking out from the junction of the great cardiac vein into the lumen of the coronary sinus 1-4.
Clinical importance
The valve of Vieussens may constitute an important obstacle to catheterization procedures e.g. in cardiac resynchronization therapy, if it is large, and may cause serious complications such as vessel perforation and cardiac tamponade 2,3.
History and etymology
The valve is named after the French anatomist and doctor Raymond de Vieussens (1641-1715) 3.