Coronary artery dimensions in normal adult Indian population by computed tomography coronary angiography

Abstract

Introduction: In any given population, coronary artery diameter is highly variables. It has been postulated that Indians have an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) due to smaller diameter of arteries in them. However, small diameter can be due to smaller body surface area (BSA). Hence, we tried to assess whether smaller coronary artery dimensions in Indians are due to their smaller BSA or not. Methodology: In this observational study, patients undergoing computed tomography coronary angiography and having normal angiogram were included in this study. Patients' coronary artery diameters in major epicardial vessels were measured and indexed to BSA. Analysis was done to assess for any significance compared to Caucasians. Results: A total of 250 patients were part of this study. The mean diameters of proximal left main (LM), distal LM, left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) were 4.27 ± 0.78, 4.26 ± 0.79, 3.47 ± 0.6, 2.99 ± 0.64, and 3.33 ± 0.63 mm, respectively. On indexing to BSA, the measurements in proximal LM, distal LM, LAD, LCX, and RCA were 2.31 ± 0.4, 2.31 ± 0.4, 1.89 ± 0.32, 1.62 ± 0.35, and 1.81 ± 0.34 mm/BSA, respectively. When they were compared to other Indian and Caucasian studies, the diameters were not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Thus, the authors conclude that Indians do not have an increased risk for CAD because of their smaller diameters, but it is because of their smaller BSA. This study helped us evaluate the reference range of major epicardial vessel diameters in Indian population.

Keywords

• body surface area
• computed tomography coronary angiography
• small coronary artery