Análise morfométrica das artérias coronárias e pontes miocárdicas em população do Rio Grande do Norte: um estudo cadavérico

Abstract

Myocardial bridge (MB) is the name given to the partial tunneling of vessels that irrigate the heart, that is, myocardial fibers overlap these vessels for a variable length. In most cases, this condition is asymptomatic and has a good prognosis, but it can also be associated with various clinical pathological scenarios and even sudden death. Hence, these variations' characterizations are clinically and surgically relevant to support professional care practices. The main goal of this research was to count and measure the MB of human hearts in a population from Rio Grande do Norte. 86 out of 169 hearts analyzed presented PM (50.89%) with a total of 101 PM. Of the 101 PM, 91 were in the anterior interventricular artery (90.10%), 9 in the posterior interventricular artery (8.9%), and 1 in the right coronary artery (0.99%). 12 hearts (12.79%) had more than one MB. Along with the MB incidence and morphometric study, we also measured the coronary and interventricular arteries. The right coronary artery measured an average of 123.59±2.88 mm; the left coronary artery measured an average of 12.11±0.34 mm; The anterior interventricular artery measured an average of 108.65±1.88 mm; and the posterior interventricular artery measured an average of 55.27±1.35 mm. The prevalence of MB seen in the current study is above the world average, although the higher incidence in the anterior interventricular artery is under the literature. Similar studies carried out in populations from nearby states also point to a lower prevalence of MB. Although MB has a benign prognosis, its repercussions may be associated with myocardial ischemia, ventricular dysfunction, and sudden death. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of the current investigation and further research that helps to outline a better epidemiological profile of this abnormality.