Rare case of single left coronary artery in a Japanese cadaver

Hayato Terayama1,2, Osamu Tanaka3, Daisuke Kiyoshima3

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan. terahaya@tokai-u.jp.

Folia Morphologica
|August 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

An 81-year-old male cadaver presented a rare single left coronary artery variation. This anatomical finding is crucial for guiding surgical procedures like cardiac catheterization.

Area of Science:

  • Human Anatomy
  • Cardiovascular Anatomy

Background:

  • Anatomical variations in coronary arteries can impact cardiac procedures.
  • Understanding coronary artery anatomy is vital for surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document and describe an unusual single left coronary artery originating from the left aortic sinus.
  • To detail the branching pattern and blood supply territory of this anomalous coronary artery.

Main Methods:

  • Anatomical dissection of an 81-year-old Japanese male cadaver.
  • Detailed observation and documentation of the coronary artery system, including origin, branching, and distribution.

Main Results:

  • A single left coronary artery originated from a single ostium in the left aortic sinus.
  • The artery bifurcated into anterior interventricular (IVa) and circumflex (CXa) branches.
  • The CXa branch supplied the upper right ventricle and apex, with IVa supplying the right ventricle's anterior upper region.

Conclusions:

  • This case highlights a rare coronary artery anomaly with potential clinical implications.
  • Knowledge of such variations is essential for interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.

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