Segmentary analysis of the coronary artery distribution in the left ventricle

Abstract

In a series of 90 human hearts, from individuals aged between 4 days and 94 years (X = 61.09 +/- 21.96) the coronary arterial distribution of the left ventricle (LV) was studied using Selvester's system of segmentation[24]. Postmortem angiographies and microdissection techniques were used. The analysis of the 12 segments of the LV showed that the three septal segments (basal, mesial and apical) present a type of irrigation which is practically constant and of a dual type. The superoapical, posterobasal and posteromesial segments present an irrigation with a high index of exclusivity for the anterior interventricular and circumflex arteries. In the rest of the segments the vascularization is of a mixed type, although the apical segments reach an important degree of arterial exclusivity. The analysis by segments of the LV allows us to conclude that the arterial vascularization of the left ventricle depends fundamentally on the anterior interventricular artery and the left circumflex artery, which are those that present the greatest extension, together with a small contribution by the right coronary artery, which is always minor with respect to the left coronary artery.