I am writing in response to the article titled “Dynamic Thebesian veins anomaly in a patient with recurrent takotsubo-like syndrome” published in your esteemed journal [1]. As a dedicated follower and contributor to the evolving field of cardiovascular pathology, I appreciate the efforts made by the authors to detail a complex case. However, I must point out what seems to be a critical misuse of terminology regarding the Thebesian veins, which may lead to confusion among readers and fellow researchers.
In this article, the authors describe a “Thebesian veins anomaly” associated with a takotsubo-like syndrome. The delineation of Thebesian veins as a pathway for “coronary stealing” and their contribution to left-to-left shunting is inconsistent with anatomical definitions and established medical understanding. As extensively documented in previous publications [2, 3], Thebesian veins, or vena cardiacae minimae, are known for their specific function in coronary vein-cameral connections and not for the arterial-cameral connections described as potentially causative in the syndrome detailed by the article.
The confusion seems to stem from a longstanding issue in cardiovascular terminology, where Thebesian veins have been misattributed in functions related to arterial connections, which are accurately termed as vessels of Wearn, as defined by Wearn et al. in their seminal 1933 publication [2–4]. Misnaming such anatomical structures can lead to significant implications in understanding cardiovascular pathologies and their treatments.
I urge the journal and the authors to consider these points and recognise the importance of accurate terminology in medical literature. As we move forward, a unified understanding and application of these terms are essential for clear and effective communication within the scientific and medical communities.
