An Anatomical Study of Left Coronary Artery and Its Variations :A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

PURPOSE The branching pattern of the left coronary artery (LCA) presents with multitude of variance. Thus, the ischemic area due to a myocardial infarction can be different among patients, this study is done to find out what are the various anatomic variations in left coronary artery? Hence this study is done to is to study left coronary artery variations in cadaveric hearts especially in origin and branching pattern. METHODS This study utilized 30 cadaveric heart specimens. Selection of cadaveric Hearts were not based on age and sex. The location and number of orifices in the aortic cusps, branching patterns and course of the LCA and the dominant patterns wereobserved. RESULTS The LCA after arising from the left posterior aortic sinus (LPAS), its main trunk ran forwards between the pulmonary trunk and the left auricle, and then in the left atrioventricular groove in all the 30 Cadavers. Bifurcation seen in 20(66.6%), trifurcation in 8(26.6%) and quadrifurcation in 2(6.6%). Right dominance was seen in 19(64%) specimens while left dominance was seen in 11(36.6%) heart specimens. Myocardial bridging was seen in four hearts (13%) involving left anterior descending artery. CONCLUSION: The study of coronary arteries is necessary for the cardio-thoracic surgeons. Awareness of the anatomy of coronary vessels and its variations is necessary for revascularisation during coronary artery bypass grafting.