Biomedical
Right Coronary Artery Dominance in Cadaveric Human Hearts in Department of Anatomy of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Nripendra Tiwari
Nripendra Tiwari
Department of Anatomy, Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Duwakot, Bhaktapur, Nepal
Abstract
"Introduction: Cardiac coronary dominance plays a significant role in different clinical conditions and diseases of the heart. As the people of developing and developed nations are having global coronary artery diseases, it is mandatory to have knowledge of coronary artery diseases including cardiac coronary dominance. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of the right coronary artery dominance in cadaveric human hearts in a medical college. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all 52 preserved hearts as well as the heart isolated from cadavers obtained from the teaching hospital. The study was conducted from 24th June, 2020 to 24th December, 2020 after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2306202004). All cadaveric heart specimens were laelled with numbers and photographed for easy description of anatomical variation related to the coronary artery. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2007 and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Point estimate at 90% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of 52 undissected isolated cadaveric hearts, the right cardiac dominance was found in 42 (80.76%) (71.77-89.75 at 90% Confidence Interval). The mean diameter of the right coronary artery was found to be 4.06±0.55 mm. Conclusions: The prevalence of right cardiac dominance in isolated cadaveric hearts was similar to the studies done in a similar setting. Keywords: cardiac; coronary arteries; dominance."
Key Questions
CopyWhat is cardiac coronary dominance, and why is it important?
Cardiac coronary dominance refers to which coronary artery—the right or the left—supplies blood to the back of the heart. Knowing which artery is dominant is crucial because it affects how heart diseases develop and are treated. With coronary artery disease being a global health issue, understanding these variations is essential for better diagnosis and treatment.
What was the goal of this study?
The study aimed to find out how common right coronary artery dominance is in human hearts. Researchers looked at preserved and cadaveric hearts to see how often the right coronary artery was the dominant one.
How was the study conducted?
The researchers examined 52 preserved and cadaveric hearts from a teaching hospital over six months. Each heart was labeled, photographed, and analyzed for coronary artery variations. The data was then entered into a computer program for statistical analysis.
What were the key findings?
Out of the 52 hearts studied, 42 (80.76%) had right coronary artery dominance. The average diameter of the right coronary artery was about 4.06 mm. These findings are similar to other studies done in similar settings.
Why are these findings important?
Understanding how common right coronary artery dominance is helps doctors better diagnose and treat heart conditions. It also adds to the knowledge of heart anatomy, which is crucial for medical education and surgical planning.
What does this mean for heart disease treatment?
Since right coronary artery dominance is quite common, doctors need to be aware of this variation when treating patients with heart disease. This knowledge can help them tailor treatments more effectively and reduce complications.
