Variations in the anatomy of the coronary arteries

ABSTRACT

Even though anatomic variations in the cardiac circulation are quite common, there is littleinformation concerning the Brazilian population. This study intends to describe the most common variationsfound during the autopsies for the AMA Study. Material and methods: fifty human cadavers had theirhearts were dissected and analyzed. Results: variations occurred in 64% of all cases and were more commonin the posterior circulation (40.6%); arterial hypoplasia was present in 14% of the circumflex arteries, 12% ofthe marginal arteries; duplication of the posterior interventricular artery occurred in 2%; muscular bridgesoccurred in 4%; anomalous origin of arteries occurred in 14% in total; right dominant pattern was presentin 88%, left dominant in 8%, and undetermined in 4%. Conclusion: Brazilian population variations are inaccordance with the literature; anatomic variations of the heart arteries are common; and there seems to be nodifference among different populations.