International Journal of Anatomy Radiology and Surgery (Oct 2018)
Anatomical study of Right Coronary Artery and its Variations in Adult Human Cadavers: Developmental Basis and Clinical significance
Abstract
Introduction: Right coronary artery usually arises from anterior aortic sinus and its distribution is reciprocal to that of left coronary artery. Thorough knowledge of anatomical variations is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. Aim: To study right coronary artery anatomy and variations and/anomalies, if present in relations to origin, termination, branching pattern, dominance and external diameter at origin. Materials and Methods: After an ethical approval, 150 formalin fixed adult human cadaveric hearts were collected from Department of Anatomy, BVDU Medical College and Hospital, Sangli and Pune. The careful dissection was carried out to note details about right coronary artery and data was analysed using SPSS-22 computer software. Results: Right coronary artery was originated from anterior aortic sinus in 148 hearts (98.67 %) specimens and anomalous origin in the form of vertical slit from left posterior aortic sinus in 2(1.33%) specimens. The right coronary artery gave right conus artery in 102 (68%) specimens, SA nodal artery in 120 (80%) specimens, AV nodal artery in 125 (83.33%) specimens and posterior interventricular artery was in 125 (83.33%) specimens. The right dominance was found in 125 (83.33%) specimens. Superdominant right coronary artery was found in 9 (6%) out of which 1 (0.66%) specimen had right coronary artery running below the coronary sulcus on the entire diaphragmatic surface supplying it. In two specimens, split right coronary artery was noted just near the origin while in one specimen it was bifurcated at inferior border of heart. Conclusion: The ectopic origin of right coronary artery from left posterior aortic sinus having slit like ostium and interarterial course, superdominant right coronary artery, split right coronary artery and blood supply of both the nodes of same heart from right coronary artery are the important anatomical variations which clinicians must be aware of for successful management of coronary artery disease.
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