TABLE 2.
Measurements of the nerve areas (Area) and fascicle numbers (Fascicle number) at multiple locations along the cervical level down to just caudal to the cardiac branching point across the cohort. Lacking measurements at positions where the cor corresponding nerve was not present or measurable were designated “NaN” (“not a number”). Numbers are represented as median and interquartile range (IQR). Area measurements are given in [mm2], fascicle numbers in total numbers [n]. The minimum (Min) and maximum (Max) values of the measurements were determined for each nerve.VN, vaus nerve; ST, sympathetic trunk; CB, cardiac branch.
| Cross-slice position | Area VN [mm2] | Area ST [mm2] | Area CB [mm2] | Fascicle number VN [n] | Fascicle number ST [n] | Fascicle number CB [n] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position 1 | 2.98 | 0.51 | NaN | 24 | 7 | NaN |
| Position 2 | 2.82 | 0.52 | NaN | 26 | 5 | 3 |
| Position 3 | 1.94 | 0.63 | NaN | 19 | 6 | 1 |
| Position 4 | 2.00 | 0.38 | 0.23 | 26 | 4 | 4 |
| Position 5 | 2.29 | 0.63 | 0.18 | 24 | 8 | NaN |
| Median total | 2.29 | 0.52 | 0.23 | 24.00 | 5.75 | 3.00 |
| IQR total | 0.56 | 0.06 | 0.16 | 0.00 | 0.38 | 1.25 |
| Max | 2.98 | 0.63 | 0.23 | 26 | 8 | 4 |
| Min | 1.94 | 0.38 | 0.18 | 19 | 4 | 1 |