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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Ultrasonic Assessment of Myocardial Microstructure
Published on: January 14, 2014
Incidence and Morphological Study of Myocardial Bridge in the State of Ceará: A Cadaveric Study
Jalles Dantas de Lucena1, Hudson Martins de Brito2, João Victor Souza Sanders2
1Centro Universitário Santa Maria, Cajazeiras, PB - Brasil.
Insights
Myocardial bridges (MB) are common anatomical variations, found in 40% of hearts studied. These bridges most frequently affect the left coronary artery, indicating a need for further clinical understanding.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Congenital Heart Anomalies
Background:
- Myocardial bridges (MB) represent anatomical variations with potential clinical significance.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of MB is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of myocardial bridges (MB) in human hearts from Ceará, Brazil.
- To analyze the location, dimensions, and arterial involvement of MB.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of 50 adult human cadaveric hearts.
- Identification and measurement of myocardial bridges and affected coronary artery segments.
- Calculation of the muscle index (MMI) for each MB.
Main Results:
- Myocardial bridges were identified in 40% of the studied hearts.
- MB predominantly occurred in the left coronary artery system (59.25%), particularly the anterior interventricular branch.
- Significant reduction in coronary artery diameter distal to the MB was observed.
Conclusions:
- Myocardial bridges exhibit a high prevalence, particularly within the left coronary artery.
- The anatomical features, including a larger muscle index (MMI), suggest potential clinical implications for affected arteries.
Background:
Myocardial bridges (MB) are anatomical anomalies with possible clinical repercussions; hence, their understanding deserves attention.
Objective:
To determinate the prevalence and characterize MB in human hearts from the state of Ceará. Methods: Fifty hearts of adult human cadavers from the Medicine School of Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. The hearts were dissected to identify MBs that pass over part of the coronary artery. The segment of the artery (proximal, middle, and distal) with a bridge was identified. The external diameter of the artery at the proximal and distal points of the MB was measured. The length and thickness of the MB were also measured with an electronic caliper. The muscle index (MMI) of the MB was calculated as the product of length and thickness expressed in millimeters. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%.
Results:
MB was confirmed in 40% of sample. Approximately one third of the sample had only 1 MB. MB was most frequently found over the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery (59.25%, p=0.02), and its prevalence in other branches was much lower (22.23%). The most affected segments of arteries were the superior (44.44%) and medium (40.74%). The mean diameter of arteries proximal to the MB was 2.38±0.97mm (range=0.78-5.15mm), and the diameter distal to the MB was 1.71±0.75mm (range=0.42-3.58mm). The length was measured as mean=8.55±5.27mm, while the mean thickness was 0.89±0.33mm.
Conclusion:
A high prevalence of MB is more likely to affect the left coronary artery system with larger MMI than other affected branches.
