The atrioventricular node is supplied by the atrioventricular nodal artery, which most often is derived from the right coronary artery (right descending superior artery). It can also be supplied by Kugel’s artery, which is named after M.A. Kugel, who described it in 1927 as a long and wide artery that connects a proximal coronary artery to a posterior arterial branch. This vascular structure does not have a standard point of origin even in individuals in which it exists; it may originate from the proximal left circumflex artery or RCA, variously anastomosing to a posterior arterial branch (RCA, Cx) in the atrioventricular groove. If the AV node derives its blood supply from the RCA the individual is right-dominant; if from the LCx, the individual is left-dominant.
References
- Abuin G, Nieponice A. New findings on the origin of the blood supply to the atrioventricular node. Clinical and surgical significance. Tex Heart Inst J. 1998;25(2):113-7. PubMed Link
- Nerantzis CE, Marianou SK, Koulouris SN, Agapitos EB, Papaioannou JA, Vlahos LJ. Kugel's artery: an anatomical and angiographic study using a new technique. Tex Heart Inst J. 2004;31(3):267-70. PubMed Link
- Angelini P. Kugel's artery: What's in a name? Questions on atrial circulation. Tex Heart Inst J. 2004;31(3):271-2. PubMed Link
Other References
- Keys to the Cart: September 3, 2018; A 5-minute video review of ABA Keywords Link
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