Key result
Severe diffuse coronary tortuosity coexists with multiple myocardial bridges in a 91-year-old female cadaver.
Why the study?
Coronary artery tortuosity and myocardial bridging may alter coronary blood flow, but their extensive coexistence throughout the coronary arterial tree has rarely been reported.
Case Report (n=1)
No
The rare coexistence of severe diffuse coronary artery tortuosity and multiple myocardial bridges highlights complex anatomical variations that may impact coronary hemodynamics and procedural planning.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Rare coexistence of diffuse CAT and bridges may alter flow; hypothesis-generating and leaves open combined clinical relevance.
Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) and myocardial bridging are common anatomical variants often considered benign; however, both may alter coronary blood flow.Their extensive coexistence throughout the coronary arterial tree has rarely been reported.During routine cadaveric dissection of a 91-year-old female donor, severe diffuse CAT and multiple myocardial bridges were identified.The left anterior descending (LAD) artery, circumflex (Cx) artery, right coronary artery (RCA), posterior descending artery (PDA), acute marginal artery (AMA), and several major branches demonstrated marked tortuosity characterized by numerous looping and S-shaped configurations.The LAD demonstrated 11 bends; the AMA and PDA, eight each; the diagonal artery, seven; the circumflex artery, five; the obtuse marginal artery, four; and the proximal RCA, three.Four myocardial bridges were present: two over the LAD and one each over the AMA and PDA.Several looping segments appeared anchored to the myocardium by bridges or perforating branches.Despite the donor's advanced age, the coronary arteries exhibited no gross evidence of calcification or hardening.Additional findings included thin-walled translucent arterial segments and symmetrical pectus excavatum.This rare combination may have important clinical implications.The coexistence of myocardial bridges and CAT may alter coronary blood flow, while the associated pectus excavatum and translucent arterial walls may suggest an underlying connective tissue abnormality.Recognition of these complex coronary variations is important for accurate diagnosis, procedural planning, and surgical intervention.
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Grimmett et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Coronary artery tortuosity and myocardial bridging (n=1). Anatomical observation was evaluated on Anatomical variations in coronary arteries. Severe diffuse coronary artery tortuosity coexisting with multiple myocardial bridges was identified throughout the coronary arterial tree of a 91-year-old female cadaver.
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