STUDY OF DOMINANCE, CALIBRE AND BRANCHING PATTERN OF THE CORONARY ARTERIES USING ANGIOGRAPHY: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Variations in coronary artery dominance, branching patterns, and arterial calibre have important anatomical and clinical implications, particularly in the interpretation of coronary angiography and planning of cardiovascular interventions. Objective: To determine the prevalence of coronary dominance, measure the calibre of major coronary arteries, assess its relationship with body mass index (BMI), and describe coronary branching patterns using angiography. Methods: This prospective, non-interventional, hospital-based study included 100 consecutive coronary angiograms performed over three months at S. Nijalingappa Medical College and Hospital, Bagalkote. Patients aged >20 years undergoing coronary angiography were included, while those aged <20 years and those with congenital cardiac anomalies were excluded. Coronary dominance, branching pattern, Proximal calibres of the right coronary artery (RCA), left main coronary artery (LCA), circumflex artery (LCX), and left anterior descending artery (LAD) were assessed using quantitative coronary analysis. Results: Right coronary dominance was observed in 60% of cases, while left dominance and co-dominance were each present in 20%. Mean calibres of the RCA, LCA, LCX, and LAD were 2.99±0.65, 4.13±0.63, 3.01±0.61, and 3.07±0.49 mm, respectively. Correlations between BMI and arterial calibre were weak. Conclusion: Right coronary dominance was the most frequent pattern. Considerable anatomical variability was observed in coronary calibre and branching patterns, emphasizing the importance of detailed anatomical assessment during coronary angiography.