Comparative study on the coronary artery anomalies between the Han and Tibetan nationalities living in middle and high altitude

Abstract

To analyze the differences of coronary artery anomalies between Han and Tibetan nationality living in middle and high altitude. A total of 7 028 adults living in the Qinghai Plateau(1 800-7 720 m altitude), who underwent coronary CT angiography in Qinghai Cardio-cerebro-vascular Disease Special Hospital between 2010 to 2015, were included in this study.There were 6 391 cases of the Han nationality and 637 cases of the Tibetan nationality. The differences of coronary artery anomalies between Han and Tibetan nationality were analyzed retrospectively. (1) Incidence of coronary artery anomalies was lower in Han nationality than in the Tibetan nationality (1.596%(102/6 391)vs. 4.239%(27/637), P<0.001). (2) There was 64.7%(66/102) male residents with coronary artery anomalies in Han nationality, and 74.1% (20/27) male residents with coronary artery anomalies in Tibetan nationality(P=0.359). (3) Left side coronary artery anomalies in Han nationality was similar as in Tibetan nationality (64.4%(67/104) vs. 55.6%(15/27), P=0.396). (4) Incidence of benign coronary artery anomalies was significantly lower in Han nationality than in Tibetan nationality (0.720%(46/6 391) vs. 2.200%(14/637), P<0.001). Incidence of potentially dangerous coronary artery anomalies was also significantly lower in Han nationality than in Tibetan nationality (0.876%(56/6 391) vs. 2.041%(13/637), P=0.004). (5)Ten kinds of coronary artery anomalies were found in this study. There were significant differences between Han and Tibetan nationality in left coronary artery originated from right coronary sinus(0.046%(3/6 391) vs. 0.471%(3/637), P=0.012), in left circumflex branch originated from right coronary sinus(0.046%(3/6 391)vs. 0.471%(3/637), P=0.012), and opening of right coronary artery in left coronary sinus or left anterior descending(0.704%(45/6 391)vs. 1.570%(10/637), P=0.018). The incidences of coronary artery anomalies and benign coronary artery anomalies were significantly lower in Han nationality residents than that of the in Tibetan nationality residents living in middle and high altitude.