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Clinical Application of the Left Coronary Artery Variation: A Cadaveric Study
Author(s) -
Klinkhachorn Penprapa S.,
Kumar Anil,
Moore Valerie A.,
Ajmani Madan L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.513.5
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , coronary arteries , cadaveric spasm , artery , circumflex , perfusion , asymptomatic , right coronary artery , anatomy , coronary angiography , myocardial infarction
Coronary arteries play an important role in perfusion of the heart tissues. Variations or anomalies of coronary arteries may be asymptomatic, while some can be symptomatic and may even cause sudden death. Knowledge of coronary artery variations is important in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. The aim is to describe variations of the LCA and its branching patterns. A total of 78 human hearts were dissected, examined and measured. The external diameters at the starting points of these branches were measured using 0.01 mm sensitive digital calipers. The data is reported as mean ± standard deviation. The mean outer diameter of left coronary artery (LCA), left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex artery (CA) was 4.34 ± 2.01 mm, 4.21 ± 0.28 mm, and 2.73 ± 0.6 mm respectively. Whereas the mean length of LCA, LAD and CA was 10.2 ± 3.5 mm, 83.4 ± 17.8 mm, and 44.6 ± 17.9 mm respectively. The main trunk of LCA bifurcated in 63 specimens (80.76%), trifurcated in 8 specimens (10.25%), quadrifurcated in 6 specimens (7.69%) and pentafurcated in 1 specimens (1.28%). Variation in the origin of coronary arteries and their branching pattern can pose difficulties in imaging by conventional catheters, thereby creating problems in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. It is also an increasingly vital component in the management of congenital and acquired heart diseases. The short main LCA explains some failures of adequate coronary perfusion from aortic valve surgery, as the myocardial perfusion depends on the placement of one or more cannulas in the coronary arteries. Short LCA trunk is also considered as a risk factor in developing coronary atherosclerosis, which can lead to much more serious complications than those of the RCA. In conclusion, the high degree of variability of the LCA and its branching patterns has anatomical, pathophysiological diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Adequate knowledge of these variations is important for the interpretation of coronary angiography, stenting procedures and surgical myocardial revascularization. Support or Funding Information Supported in parts by WVU Health Sciences Center and Oman Medical College This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .