Morphologic expression of the left coronary artery in pigs. An approach
in relation to human heart |
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Authors: | Fabian Alejandro Gómez Luis Ernesto Ballesteros |
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Institution: | Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia |
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Abstract: | Introduction In spite of its importance as an experimental model, the information on the left
coronary artery in pigs is sparse. Objective To determine the morphologic features of the left coronary artery in pigs. Methods We evaluated 158 pig hearts. The left coronary artery was perfused with synthetic
resin after their ostia had been catheterized. Diameters and courses of the
vascular beds were measured with an electronic caliper (Mitutoyo®).
Results The diameter of left coronary artery was 6.98 ± 1.56 mm and its length was
3.51±0.99 mm. It was found to end up by bifurcating itself into the anterior
interventricular artery and the circumflex artery in 79% of the cases, and by
trifurcating in 21% of the cases, with the presence of the diagonal artery. The
anterior interventricular artery ended up at the apex in 79.7% of the cases, and
the circumflex artery at the posterior aspect of the left ventricle in 64% of the
case, this artery never reached the posterior interventricular sulcus. An
anastomosis between the terminal branches of the anterior interventricular artery
and the posterior interventricular artery was found in 7.6% of the specimens. The
antero-superior branch of the anterior interventricular artery occurred in 89.9%
of the hearts. A left marginal branch was observed in 87.9% of the cases with a
diameter of 2.25±0.55 mm. Conclusion Compared with humans, pigs have shorter left coronary artery trunks and branches;
even the circumflex artery never reaches the posterior interventricular sulcus.
Our findings are useful for the design of experimental hemodynamic and procedural
models. |
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Keywords: | Coronary Vessels Coronary Circulation Heart |
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