Prevalence, vasculature, and innervation of myocardial bridges in dogs

To report gross anatomic examination of the canine myocardial bridge (MB), a muscular band found above the coronary artery (CA), with respect to its occurrence, location, vascularization, and innervation.

629 canine hearts obtained within 1 to 3 hours after euthanasia.

After an incision was made at the left fifth intercostal space, the pericardial sac was cut open, and if an MB was present, the heart, lungs, and annexed structures were removed together and subsequently subjected to macroscopic examination of MB musculature and innervation after formalin fixation. Vascular casting was performed by use of methyl methacrylate perfusion.

Of the 629 canine hearts examined, 189 (30%) had MB, occurrence of which was independent of sex, age, and breed. Among 13 MB-containing specimens examined in detail, there was great variation in thickness (0.11 to 2.24 mm; mean, 0.45 mm) of MB and distance (24 to 236 microns; mean, 103 microns) between the MB and the paraconal interventricular branch of the left CA (PIBL). One pair or 2 pairs of blood vessels from the PIBL supplied the MB muscle. Venous blood returned to the coronary circulation via the branches of the great coronary vein coursing on both sides of the PIBL, in close contact with the PIBL and the groove wall. The 2 veins rejoined at the upper portion of the PIBL and passed obliquely to the coronary groove under the left auricle, and finally drained the blood through the coronary sinus into the right ventricle. Innervation to the MB muscle was derived from nerve branches of the middle cervical ganglion and left vagus nerve.

Prevalence and localization of MB in dogs and human beings are similar. Vascularization of the MB muscle originates from the PIBL. The cervical ganglion and vagus nerve control the MB muscle.