What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate prevalence and anatomy of myocardial bridges using MDCT, while investigating their relationship with coronary artery calcification.

January 10, 2026Cardiology Research and Practice0 citationsOpen Access

Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings of Myocardial Bridge and Its Relationship With Coronary Calcification

ADAydın DursunArk Medical Center NDNurullah DoğanBursa Technical University MBMehmet Cem BaselArk Medical Center

Key Result

Myocardial bridge was found in 7.7% of patients, with 23% showing significant coronary calcification, especially in those with stenosis >50%.

Key Points

Evaluate prevalence and anatomy of myocardial bridges using MDCT, while investigating their relationship with coronary artery calcification.
Retrospective analysis of 7024 patients undergoing MDCT
Measurement of myocardial bridge length and thickness
Coronary calcification quantified using the Agatston score
Categorization based on degree of coronary stenosis (< 50% or ≥ 50%)
Myocardial bridge present in 7.7% (542 patients)
Common complaints included atypical chest pain (76%) and stable angina (24%)
Most detected in the middle segment of the LAD artery (65.68%)
51% of MB patients had mild to severe atherosclerotic plaque
23% of MB patients exhibited significant calcification, especially those with >50% stenosis

Structured PICO

Population

7,024 patients with cardiac complaints (chest pain, angina pectoris, exercise testing, graft/stent patency) who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), of which 542 had myocardial bridge (median age 53, 65% male).

Intervention

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)

Outcome

Prevalence and anatomical characteristics of myocardial bridge and its relationship with coronary artery calcification (Agatston score) and atherosclerotic burdensurrogate

MDCT effectively detects myocardial bridging and reveals that concomitant coronary calcification is higher in MB patients with more severe coronary stenosis, suggesting an early localized atherosclerotic process.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of myocardial bridge (MB) using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to investigate its relationship with coronary artery calcification and atherosclerotic burden. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 7024 patients who underwent MDCT for cardiac complaints between November 2010 and December 2020. The length and thickness of MBs were measured, and coronary calcification was quantified using the Agatston score. Patients were categorized according to the degree of coronary stenosis (< 50% or ≥ 50%) to assess the association between MB and calcification severity. Results The prevalence of MB was 7.7% (542 patients). The most common complaints in patients with MB were atypical chest pain (76%) and stable angina (24%). MB was most commonly detected in the middle segment of the LAD artery (65.68%). Mild atherosclerotic plaque (31%), moderate atherosclerotic plaque (13%), and severe atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis (5%) were present in 51% of patients with MB. Significant calcification was found in 23% of MB patients, who had higher calcification scores, particularly those with coronary artery stenosis greater than 50%. Conclusions MDCT serves as an effective noninvasive method not only for detecting MB but also for evaluating concomitant coronary calcification and early atherosclerotic changes. Early identification of calcification in MB patients may guide individualized cardiovascular assessment, focusing on noninvasive imaging, risk factor control, and preventive therapy similar to standard protocols for atherosclerosis management.

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