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[Coronarangiographic study on the trifurcation branch of the left coronary artery postmortem (author's transl)]
Insights
Most human hearts exhibit bifurcation or trifurcation of the left coronary artery. Variations in branching patterns, including fourfold divisions, were observed in this post-mortem study of coronary angiography.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular anatomy
- Coronary artery variations
Context:
- Understanding the anatomical variations of the coronary arteries is crucial for interpreting diagnostic imaging and planning surgical interventions.
- The left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a critical vessel, and its branching patterns can influence myocardial perfusion.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of different branching patterns of the left coronary artery in a human heart cohort.
- To document the frequency of LMCA bifurcation, trifurcation, and other variations.
Summary:
- Post-mortem coronary angiography was performed on 141 human hearts.
- Bifurcation of the left coronary artery was observed in 51.1% of cases, and trifurcation in 44.7%.
- Six hearts (4.2%) displayed a fourfold division of the LMCA, with trifurcation branches supplying the left anterior or lateral ventricular walls.
Impact:
- Provides detailed anatomical data on LMCA branching variations.
- Highlights the significant prevalence of trifurcation and rarer fourfold divisions.
- Contributes to a better understanding of coronary artery anatomy for clinical applications.
Abstract:
In 141 human hearts by means of coronary angiography post mortem 72 (51.1%) were found with bifurcation and 63 (44.7%) with trifurcation of the left coronary artery. In 6 hearts there was a fourfold division of the left main coronary artery. The supplying areas of the trifurcation branch was located in the left anterior or lateral ventricular wall. Its size varied in a wide range. Partly it belonged to the supplying areas of the anterior descending, partly to the left circumflex branch.