[Quantitative morphological examinations of coronary muscle bridges (author's transl)]

The coronary muscle bridge which was found in non-selected autopsy material with a frequency of 24% meets with increasing interest in the discussion on the causes of sudden cardiac death and within the scope of coronary bypass-surgery. Twenty morphometrically examined coronary arteries have been used to demonstrate that the coronary muscle bridge provide local protection from atherosclerosis. Pathomorphological and functional effects of coronary muscle bridges are discussed.