A Morphological Study of Variations in the Branching Pattern of Left Coronary Artery in Human Cadaveric Hearts

Abstract

Background:Left coronary artery (LCA) originates from left posterior aortic sinus of
ascending aorta and supplies greater volume of the myocardium.There is a wide variability in
the branching pattern of left coronary artery i.e. bifurcation, trifurcation, quadrifurcation or
sometimes pentafurcation. Presence of even minor variations may lead to considerable
amount of mortality and morbidity among patients when encountered during surgery.Thus
knowledge of normal coronary circulation and its variations is important in the diagnosis and
management of congenital and acquired heart diseases.Materials and Methods: 40 human
formalised adult, apparently normal looking hearts of unknown sex were dissected to note the
branching pattern of left coronary artery .Results:The main trunk of left coronary artery
bifurcated in 33 specimens (82.5%), trifurcated in 6 specimens (15%) and quadrifurcated in 1
specimen (2.5%).Conclusion:Due to wide range of variations in the branching pattern of left
coronary artery, this study would be of great help to the surgeons, cardiologists and
radiologists in diagnosing and performing various procedures like coronary artery
catheterization, angiography, angioplasty and bypass surgeries.