Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology

Abstract The interatrial septum morphology, shaped by the septum primum and secundum fusion, results in the formation of the fossa ovalis (FO) and its limbus. Incomplete fusion can lead to a patent foramen ovale (PFO), while complete fusion may produce septal ridges and pouches (SPs), with SPs in hu...

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Main Authors: Lara Ibrahim, Ingrid Vernemmen, Eva Buschmann, Gunther van Loon, Pieter Cornillie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01387-3
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author Lara Ibrahim
Ingrid Vernemmen
Eva Buschmann
Gunther van Loon
Pieter Cornillie
author_facet Lara Ibrahim
Ingrid Vernemmen
Eva Buschmann
Gunther van Loon
Pieter Cornillie
author_sort Lara Ibrahim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The interatrial septum morphology, shaped by the septum primum and secundum fusion, results in the formation of the fossa ovalis (FO) and its limbus. Incomplete fusion can lead to a patent foramen ovale (PFO), while complete fusion may produce septal ridges and pouches (SPs), with SPs in humans linked to ischemic stroke and atrial arrhythmias. In horses, atrial tachycardia and fibrillation often originate near the FO. This study examines adult equine interatrial septum morphology to enhance understanding the region and guide electrophysiological interventions for equine cardiac arrhythmias. Post-mortem examinations of 62 adult equine hearts, assessed the interatrial septum morphology from both right and left sides, measuring the dimensions of the FO and the craniocaudal length, and dorsoventral height of the SPs. Histological analysis at selected septal locations evaluated the wall’s thickness and composition. Significant morphological variations were observed, particularly the consistent presence of right-sided SP. The septum wall comprises three layers, with the central layer containing cardiomyocytes in varied orientations, interspersed with fibroadipose tissue, features potentially contributing to atrial arrhythmias. Understanding the equine interatrial septum morphology is important for optimizing transseptal puncture outcomes, by facilitating accurate intracardiac echocardiography interpretation, guiding precise puncture site selection and improving procedural safety and efficacy.
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spelling doaj-art-9f7f323ffa7b43d892d3a65353bfde592025-08-20T03:53:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-01387-3Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiologyLara Ibrahim0Ingrid Vernemmen1Eva Buschmann2Gunther van Loon3Pieter Cornillie4Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent UniversityEquine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent UniversityEquine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent UniversityEquine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent UniversityDepartment of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent UniversityAbstract The interatrial septum morphology, shaped by the septum primum and secundum fusion, results in the formation of the fossa ovalis (FO) and its limbus. Incomplete fusion can lead to a patent foramen ovale (PFO), while complete fusion may produce septal ridges and pouches (SPs), with SPs in humans linked to ischemic stroke and atrial arrhythmias. In horses, atrial tachycardia and fibrillation often originate near the FO. This study examines adult equine interatrial septum morphology to enhance understanding the region and guide electrophysiological interventions for equine cardiac arrhythmias. Post-mortem examinations of 62 adult equine hearts, assessed the interatrial septum morphology from both right and left sides, measuring the dimensions of the FO and the craniocaudal length, and dorsoventral height of the SPs. Histological analysis at selected septal locations evaluated the wall’s thickness and composition. Significant morphological variations were observed, particularly the consistent presence of right-sided SP. The septum wall comprises three layers, with the central layer containing cardiomyocytes in varied orientations, interspersed with fibroadipose tissue, features potentially contributing to atrial arrhythmias. Understanding the equine interatrial septum morphology is important for optimizing transseptal puncture outcomes, by facilitating accurate intracardiac echocardiography interpretation, guiding precise puncture site selection and improving procedural safety and efficacy.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01387-3Septal pouchRidgeTranseptal punctureFossa ovalisArrhythmiaHorse
spellingShingle Lara Ibrahim
Ingrid Vernemmen
Eva Buschmann
Gunther van Loon
Pieter Cornillie
Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
Scientific Reports
Septal pouch
Ridge
Transeptal puncture
Fossa ovalis
Arrhythmia
Horse
title Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
title_full Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
title_fullStr Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
title_full_unstemmed Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
title_short Morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
title_sort morphological variations of the interatrial septum and potential implications in equine cardiology
topic Septal pouch
Ridge
Transeptal puncture
Fossa ovalis
Arrhythmia
Horse
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01387-3
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AT ingridvernemmen morphologicalvariationsoftheinteratrialseptumandpotentialimplicationsinequinecardiology
AT evabuschmann morphologicalvariationsoftheinteratrialseptumandpotentialimplicationsinequinecardiology
AT gunthervanloon morphologicalvariationsoftheinteratrialseptumandpotentialimplicationsinequinecardiology
AT pietercornillie morphologicalvariationsoftheinteratrialseptumandpotentialimplicationsinequinecardiology