IntroductionWith its increasing incidence, coronary artery disease is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality especially in the industrialized countries, accounting for more than one-third of total deaths. Cardiovascular diseases are the cause of almost half of the deaths in Turkey. Amongst the European Union countries, Turkey is the fourth in the mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases in men and the first in women. [1,2] Coronary artery diameters are one of the most important factors that affect the technique and outcome of coronary by-pass operations. [3] Coronary arteries arise from the aorta as two branches, the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left main coronary artery (LMCA). After a short distance, the LMCA divides into two, and gives the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex artery (Cx) branches. While LAD runs along the anterior interventricular sulcus down towards the apex, Cx artery runs along the atrioventricular groove, giving rise to the left marginal branch. The circumflex then continues around the heart, terminating on its posteroinferior aspect, to supply blood to both the left and right atrium. [4] Lumen diameter of normal human coronary arteries and several factors affecting their lumen diameters have previously been studied in different countries on different populations. [5][6][7][8][9][10] To the best of our knowledge, there is no study with international recognition regarding normal
AbstractObjectives: Cardiovascular diseases are the cause of nearly half of deaths in Turkey. Coronary artery diameters affect the procedure and outcome of coronary by-pass operations. The aim of this study was to measure the coronary artery diameters of the individuals with normal coronary artery on angiographic images to assess to provide data for a normal Turkish population and compare the results with studies from other countries.Methods: Seventy-seven male and female individuals between 31-79 years old were used in the study. Diameters of the two coronary arteries and their branches were measured in four segments using the Image J program.
Results:The mean diameters of major coronary arteries i.e. LMCA, LAD, Cx and RCA were measured as 4.43±0.76 mm, 3.48±0.53 mm, 3.11±0.67 mm and 3.45±0.50 mm, respectively.
Conclusion:This study revealed that the coronary artery lumen diameters of the Turkish population were parallel with the study conducted in the Iraqi population especially. A statistically significant correlation between certain coronary artery diameters were demonstrated also found. The findings of this study will contribute to the diagnosis and the treatment methods for the patients.