Variations and Anomalies of Coronary Artery System in Cadaveric Human Hearts

Background: Knowledge of the normal and variant anatomy and anomalies of coronary circulation is an increasingly vital component in the management of congenital and acquired heart disease. Anatomical variations in relation to coronary artery and its branches will help cardiac surgeons for refining imaging techniques and coronary artery bypass grafting. The current study is aimed at understanding the normal patterns of coronary arteries with reference to its predominance, branching pattern, variations and anomalies. Methods: Heart specimen for this study were obtained from Department of Anatomy, SIMS Hapur and GFIMSR Ballabhgarh. The cadaveric human hearts were dissected to observe the coronary arteries and its branches. Results: The diameter of right and left coronary orifices were measured. The distance of the orifices from the supravalvular ridge was also measured. The length and the diameter of the coronary arteries and its branches were measured and statistical significance was determined. Conclusion: The present study revealed that, ostium diameter of left coronary artery is larger than the right coronary artery. The outer diameter of the left coronary artery is larger than the right coronary artery. The mean lumen circumference of left coronary artery, anterior interventricular artery, right coronary artery and circumflex artery is more in males as compared to female. This knowledge is important for interpretation of the coronary angiography and surgical myocardial revascularization and paramount to cardiac surgeons for proper diagnosis and treatment of cardiac ailments and radiologists to refine image interpretation.