Abstract

Introduction: The Anatomy & anomalies of left coronary artery shows a wide range of morphological variations which has great clinical importance. Disastrous complications may occur during performance of diagnostic procedures, especially in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary interventions or during coronary artery bypass surgeries or prosthetic valve replacements. Even, it has been found that short length of main left coronary artery was one of the congenital factors which predisposed to the development of coronary artery disease. The aim of this work was to determine the variations in the origin, length and divisions of the left coronary artery trunk in northern population of India. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 adult human cadaveric hearts after preserving them in 10% formalin solution. While carefully maintaining all standard precautions, scientifically well-planned cadaveric dissections were done and variations were noted. Results: out of 60 hearts, in all specimens, left coronary artery originated from single Ostia at the left posterior aortic sinus. In 36 cases (60%) Ostia was below or at the Sino tubular junction – STJ (Junctional zone between sinuses and tubular part of ascending aorta), and in 24 cases (40%) it was above the level of STJ. The mean length of the left coronary artery trunk was found to be 11.42 ± 4.98 mm. LMCA was bifurcated in 36 (60%) cases, and trifurcated in 21 (35%) cases and was divided in four branches in 3 (5%) cases. The results were compared with those of other studies, which showed considerable variations. Conclusion: The anatomical and morphometric study done on left coronary artery trunk in the northern Indian population will be helpful for interventional cardiologists and radiologists for avoiding inadvertent vascular trauma during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.