Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2025
Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Angiographic Characterization and Sex-Related Anatomical Differences of Atrial Coronary Arteries Anatomy-A Proposal
Miguel Marques-Antunes1,2, Martijn J H van Oort3, Federico Oliveri3
1Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitario de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.
Insights
This study reveals significant sex-related differences in coronary atrial branches (CAB) anatomy. Males show a higher prevalence of left-sided CAB and a left-balanced atrial circulation pattern compared to females.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Medical Imaging
- Sex Differences in Medicine
Background:
- Current understanding of coronary atrial circulation is limited by small, predominantly male study groups.
- Existing angiographic nomenclature for these vessels lacks consensus.
- This study addresses the need for a more comprehensive anatomical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate anatomical variations of coronary atrial branches (CAB).
- To investigate sex-related differences in the distribution of CAB.
- To establish a systematic angiographic approach for CAB evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic angiographic evaluation of visible CAB in 998 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
- Analysis included CAB type, origin artery and segment, course, and atrial dominance.
- Statistical analysis specifically compared patterns between males and females.
Main Results:
- The sinus node artery was the dominant CAB in 93% of patients.
- Males exhibited a higher prevalence of left-sided CAB (58% vs. 45%) and sigma-shaped CAB (30% vs. 21%) compared to females.
- Males also showed a higher incidence of a left-balanced atrial circulation pattern (31% vs. 21%).
Conclusions:
- A systematic angiographic evaluation method for CAB was established.
- Significant sex-related phenotypical differences in CAB distribution were identified.
- Males are more likely to have left-sided CAB and a left-balanced atrial circulation pattern.
Background:
The coronary atrial circulation is the network of vessels that supply blood to the atria, originating from the left circumflex and right coronary arteries. Current descriptions of this arterial system are based on anatomical studies with a limited number of patients, predominantly male. In addition, there is a lack of consensus its angiographic nomenclature.
Aims:
This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical variations of coronary atrial branches (CAB) and investigate sex-related differences in their distribution.
Methods:
Consecutive patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary PCI at a tertiary center between 2004 and 2013 were included. Angiographic anatomy of all visible CAB on index coronary angiography was systematically evaluated following a stepwise method, including type of branch; coronary artery of origin; segment of origin, branch course, and atrial dominancy. Specific differences between both sexes were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 998 patients (age 61 ± 12, 79% male) were included. The sinus node artery was the dominant CAB in 916 (93%), originating in 37% from distal coronary segments. Different CAB anatomical patterns were identified in both sexes. Compared to females, males presented a higher prevalence of left-sided CAB (left circumflex CAB 459 [58%] vs. 96 [45%], p < 0.001; sigma-shaped CAB 267 [30%] vs. 39 [21%], p = 0.003) and of a left-balanced atrial circulation pattern-defined as the presence of at least two CAB originating from the LCx, with one of them being the dominant CAB-245 (31%) versus 45 (21%), p = 0.005.
Conclusions:
This study provides a systematic approach to the angiographic evaluation of CAB. Sex-related phenotypical differences of CAB distribution were found, with males presenting a higher presence of left-sided CAB and a left-balanced atrial circulation pattern.
More Related Videos
08:10Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
06:27Modifications of the Langendorff Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes from Adult Mice
Published on: May 13, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:21Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...