A STUDY OF CORONARY ARTERY PREDOMINANCE AND ITS CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

Introduction: Origin of the posterior interventricular artery was taken as the basis of dominance. The knowledge of the coronary predominance is necessary for the evaluation of problems like myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and other heart diseases and it is also important for the management of these cardiac problems. Many earlier studies have shown that coronary heart disease (CHD) is not only confined to urban population but even increasing in rural population as well because of changing life style, urbanization, sedentary life style, etc. Aim: To study coronary artery predominance. Materials and Methods: 60 hearts preserved in 10% formalin were collected. Human hearts irrespective of age and sex without having any obvious pathology were included in the study. Hearts were dissected meticulously to see the coronary arteries and its branch in the posterior inter-ventricular sulcus.
Results: Right dominance was found in 52 hearts i.e., 86.67%, left dominance was found in 8 hearts i.e., 13.33%.
Conclusion: Right coronary artery (RCA) supplies to major area of diaphragmatic surface of the heart through posterior interventricular artery. Dominance pattern of heart has important clinical significance. The dominant RCA usually supplies the atrioventricular (AV) node. Therefore an inferior wall infarct caused by occlusion of the RCA will have higher risk of AV block.