Chapter 9 RESULTS The anatomical variation outcome was similar for both observers. The intraobserver kappa-analyses were good for both sides (0.73 for the left and 0.72 for the right side). We observed that variation II is more frequently present (left mean 75%, right mean 72%), followed by variation IV, I, V and III (table 9.2). Table 9.2 Anatomical variation. The second intercostal space was significantly larger than the third intercostal space on the right (4.4 mm) and on the left side (4.5 mm) (table 9.3). There was a significant difference in the artery surface between intercostal spaces two and three. On the left side, the artery surface in the second inter- costal space was significantly larger (0.6 mm2) than the artery surface in the third one (p< 0.001). On the right side the artery surface in the second inter- costal space was significantly larger (0.7 mm2) (p< 0.001). After translating the mean of the artery surface difference (0.7mm2) into a more clinical value, the diameter, the difference was 0.2 mm between inter- costal space two and three. The artery diameter in the second intercostal space is 18% larger. 157
5. lay-out phd DEFINITIEF_digitaal2
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