Myocardial bridging: evaluation using single- and dual-source multidetector cardiac computed tomographic angiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Myocardial bridging is a congenital anomaly where a segment of the coronary artery travels through the heart muscle.
• Its prevalence and detailed characteristics are not fully understood, especially with advanced imaging techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and imaging features of myocardial bridging.
• To assess myocardial bridging in patients undergoing single- or dual-source multidetector cardiac computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 53 patients with 57 identified myocardial bridges.
• Review of imaging characteristics from cardiac MDCTA examinations.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of myocardial bridging was 10.4%.
• Most bridges were located in the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery.
• Average bridge length was 23.4 mm; average tunneled artery depth was 2.6 mm.

Conclusions:

• Myocardial bridges are frequently identified using cardiac MDCTA on both single- and dual-source scanners.
• The mid-left anterior descending coronary artery is the most common location.
• Increased use of cardiac MDCTA allows for noninvasive recognition, characterization, and functional assessment of myocardial bridges.