Prevalence of Coronary and Extracoronary Ostia in Southern Rajasthan: A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Introduction: A variable incidence of additional coronary ostia or third coronary ostia is found along right ostium in the Anterior Aortic Sinus (AAS). Extracoronary ostia in AAS provide third coronary artery or right conus artery which supplies pulmonary conus and upper part of right ventricle. Third coronary artery is an important bridge for collateral circulation between right and left coronary system. Aim: To reveal the number, shape, and position of coronary and extracoronary ostia in aortic sinuses in Southern Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: This observational descriptive study was conducted on 100 human hearts extracted from cadavers and preserved in formalin at Department of Anatomy, Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India from December 2019 to January 2021. Specimens were observed for numbers, shape and position of Coronary and Extracoronary Ostia. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel Worksheet and analysed in Medcalc software version 20.0.3. Results: A total number of 100 extracted human cadaveric hearts were studied and analysed. In Anterior Aortic Sinus, single coronary ostium was found in 82% specimen, double ostia were observed in 17% specimen and triple ostia were noticed in only 1% specimen in AAS. In extracoronary ostia, 17 specimens were found round while only one specimen was found elliptical in shape and 16 specimen were found below sinu-tubular junction in position while one specimen was found above sinu-tubular junction and one specimen was at level of sinu-tubular junction. Conclusion: The role of extracoronary ostia should always be taken into account during investigative and remedial interventions. Awareness about extracoronary ostia would provide a deeper insight about possible complications arising during various surgical procedures to avoid damage.