Abstract

The coronary arteries have many variant branching patterns and anomalies. Knowledge of these is crucial to physicians as they impact cardiac pathology and may themselves be pathologic. We aimed to assess the coronary anatomy of all 45 available cadavers at our institution for these entities. Right, left or co‐dominance was determined in each heart via the posterior descending (PDA) and AV nodal arteries. The presence of bridging, hypoplasia and duplication of the major branches was assessed. 35(78%) of the hearts were left dominant, 5(11%) were right dominant and 5(11%) were co‐dominant. A conus branch was seen in 34 hearts. In 21(62%) it arose from the right coronary artery (RCA) and in 13(38%) from the aorta. A sinoatrial artery was seen in 36 hearts. In 25(69%) it arose from the RCA and in 11(31%) from the left circumflex artery. A ramus intermedius was seen in 11(24%). 1 heart had a high origin of the left coronary artery. 1 heart had bridging of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). 1 heart had duplication of the LAD and 2 had duplication of the PDA. 1 heart had a hypoplastic LAD with collaterals from the PDA and 1 had a hypoplastic PDA with collaterals from the LAD. Based on this set of hearts we report an incidence of the common anatomical variants in keeping with the current literature. Knowledge of these entities and is crucial to accurately treat pathologies and to avoid unnecessary interventions. The source of research support is from the division of Anatomy, Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.

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