Abstract

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is responsible for 70% cases of sudden cardiac deaths. Small coronary ostia may cause significant difficulty in canulation of it during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. High origin of coronary arteries increases risk of myocardial ischaemia and sudden death. Considering these significance of variations of coronary ostia in cardiac procedures, detailed study was undertaken so it would be of use to cardiologists and interventional radiologists. Material and Methods: Sample size for the study comprised of 50 human cadaveric heart specimens. Dissection method was adopted. Observation and Results: In anterior aortic sinus, 41 specimens had single ostium, while 09 specimens showed two separate ostia. The mean of ostium diameter of right coronary artery was found to be 2.84 mm with a standard deviation (S.D.) of +0.85 mm. The mean distance of main ostium of right coronary artery from supravalvular ridge was found to be 1.23 mm. with a S.D. of +0.32 mm. In case of accessory ostia in anterior aortic sinus, the mean diameter was found to be 1.32 mms. with a S.D. of +0.20 mms. The mean distance of these ostia from supravalvular ridge was found to be 1.16 mms. with a S.D. of +0.17 mms. In left posterior aortic sinus, 49 specimens had single ostium, while 01 specimen had two separate ostia. This ostium was 0.8 mms. in diameter at a distance of 02 mms. below from supravalvular ridge. The mean of ostium diameter of left coronary artery was found to be 3.31 mm with a S.D.of+0.52 mm. The mean distance of main ostium of left coronary artery from supravalvular ridge was found to be 1.40 mm. with a S.D. of +0.27 mm. Conclusion: the study provides data on coronary morphometry and topography. It provides basis for understanding the normal variants for determining incidence of anomalies and for evaluating value of screening of such anomalies.

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