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Published on: April 18, 2013
Morphometric study of left coronary artery trunk in adult human cadavers: a study on the eastern region population
Sanchita Roy1, Avanish Gupta1, Baljit Kaur Nanrah2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, IPGME&R , Kolkata, India .
Insights
Morphological variations of the left coronary artery (LCA) trunk in eastern India were studied. Findings reveal significant variations in LCA origin, length, and branching patterns, crucial for cardiovascular procedures.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Medical Imaging
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- The left coronary artery (LCA) exhibits diverse morphological variations with significant clinical implications.
- Anatomical variations can complicate diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions and surgeries.
- Congenital factors, such as a short main left coronary artery, are linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the variations in the origin, length, and branching patterns of the left coronary artery trunk.
- To analyze these anatomical variations specifically within the eastern Indian population.
Main Methods:
- Cadaveric dissections were performed on 100 heart samples from a mixed-race population in West Bengal, India.
- Heart samples were preserved in 10% formalin.
- Careful dissection and documentation of LCA origin, length, and branching patterns were conducted.
Main Results:
- All specimens showed the left coronary artery arising from a single ostium in the left posterior aortic sinus.
- The ostial opening was below or at the sinotubular junction (STJ) in 65% of cases and above the STJ in 35%.
- The mean length of the LCA trunk was 11.42 ± 4.98 mm, with bifurcation in 56%, trifurcation in 40%, and quadrification in 2% of cases.
Conclusions:
- This morphometric study provides essential data on left coronary artery anatomy in eastern Indians.
- Understanding these variations is vital for interventional cardiologists and radiologists.
- Knowledge of LCA variations can help prevent inadvertent vascular trauma during diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular interventions.
Introduction:
The left coronary artery shows a wide range of morphological variations which has great clinical importance. Difficulties may occur during performance of diagnostic procedures, especially in patients who undergo evaluation of percutaneous coronary interventions or during coronary artery surgeries or prosthetic valve replacements. Even, it has been found that short length of main left coronary artery was one of the congenital factors which predisposed to the development of coronary artery disease. The aim of this work was to determine the variations in the origin, length and divisions of the left coronary artery trunk in the eastern region population of India.
Materials And Methods:
The present study was carried out on 100 heart samples which were collected from a mixed race population group from West Bengal, India, after preserving them in 10% formalin solution. While carefully maintaining all standard precautions, scientifically well-planned cadaveric dissections were done and variations were noted.
Results:
It was found that in all specimens, left coronary artery arose from single ostia at the left posterior aortic sinus. In about 65% cases, ostia was below or at the sinotubular junction (STJ) and in a significant number (35%) of cases, it is above the level of STJ. The mean length of the left coronary artery trunk was found to be 11.42 ± 4.98 mm. LMCA were bifurcated in 56% cases, they were trifurcated in 40% cases and they were tetrafurcated in 2% cases. The results were compared with those of other studies, which showed considerable variations.
Conclusion:
Thus, this morphometric study done on left coronary artery trunk in the eastern Indian population will be helpful for interventional cardiologists and radiologists for avoiding inadvertent vascular trauma during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
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