Preserving the Pump: Extensive History of Cardiothoracic Surgery in a Cadaver
Faculty Mentor
Rachel Koshi
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Medical College of Georgia - Savannah Campus
Department
Medical Sciences
Abstract
During the dissection of the 85-year-old female cadaver by the medical students at the Medical College of Georgia, Savannah at Georgia Southern University, evidence of significant cardiovascular health conditions, prior surgeries, and a left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) were discovered; providing a unique educational reservoir of anatomical and clinical knowledge. Routine dissection of the heart revealed cardiomegaly and findings consistent with a history of numerous surgical interventions. A triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was indicated through surgical staples along the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with graft vessels in place to maintain cardiac perfusion. Wires protruding from right atrial tissue indicates the possible placement of a pacemaker, though no device was identified during the dissection. Internal examination of the cardiac chambers revealed a device in the left atrial appendage, possibly used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Abdominal dissection revealed a rare congenital anomaly of an IVC that crossed to the left side of the body anterior to the aorta at the level of the renal veins. In summation, these findings indicate an extensive medical history of cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation, both of which present significant health burdens for the aging population. The left-sided IVC, present in less than 0.5% of the population, could have potentially compounded the cadaver’s medical problems and complicated surgical management of her conditions. The complexity of the cadaver’s cardiovascular health and history provided an invaluable educational opportunity for first-year medical students, while emphasizing the importance of cadaver dissection in medical education.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
4-21-2026 3:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Lindsey, Joshua; Hequembourg, Lillian; Brown, Anna; and Chen, Thien Duy, "Preserving the Pump: Extensive History of Cardiothoracic Surgery in a Cadaver" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 81.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/81
Preserving the Pump: Extensive History of Cardiothoracic Surgery in a Cadaver
Savannah Ballroom
During the dissection of the 85-year-old female cadaver by the medical students at the Medical College of Georgia, Savannah at Georgia Southern University, evidence of significant cardiovascular health conditions, prior surgeries, and a left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) were discovered; providing a unique educational reservoir of anatomical and clinical knowledge. Routine dissection of the heart revealed cardiomegaly and findings consistent with a history of numerous surgical interventions. A triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was indicated through surgical staples along the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with graft vessels in place to maintain cardiac perfusion. Wires protruding from right atrial tissue indicates the possible placement of a pacemaker, though no device was identified during the dissection. Internal examination of the cardiac chambers revealed a device in the left atrial appendage, possibly used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Abdominal dissection revealed a rare congenital anomaly of an IVC that crossed to the left side of the body anterior to the aorta at the level of the renal veins. In summation, these findings indicate an extensive medical history of cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation, both of which present significant health burdens for the aging population. The left-sided IVC, present in less than 0.5% of the population, could have potentially compounded the cadaver’s medical problems and complicated surgical management of her conditions. The complexity of the cadaver’s cardiovascular health and history provided an invaluable educational opportunity for first-year medical students, while emphasizing the importance of cadaver dissection in medical education.
