Coronary Circulation Flashcards
What are the two main coronary arteries?
The right coronary artery (RCA) and the left coronary artery (LCA).
Where do the coronary arteries originate from?
They originate from the aortic sinuses in the ascending aorta.
What is the primary function of the coronary circulation?
To supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium.
What are the major branches of the right coronary artery (RCA)?
The sinoatrial nodal artery, right marginal artery, posterior interventricular artery (PDA), and atrioventricular nodal artery.
What areas of the heart does the right coronary artery supply?
The right atrium, right ventricle, posterior part of the interventricular septum, SA node (in most people), and AV node (in most people).
What are the major branches of the left coronary artery (LCA)?
The left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the circumflex artery.
What areas of the heart does the left coronary artery supply?
The left atrium, left ventricle, most of the interventricular septum, and part of the right ventricle.
What is the significance of the anterior interventricular artery (left anterior descending, LAD)?
It supplies the anterior interventricular septum, anterior walls of both ventricles, and the apex of the heart.
What is the significance of the circumflex artery?
It supplies the left atrium and lateral wall of the left ventricle.
What is the significance of the right marginal artery?
It supplies the right ventricle and part of the apex.
What is the significance of the posterior interventricular artery (posterior descending artery, PDA)?
It supplies the posterior part of the interventricular septum and adjacent ventricular walls.
What is coronary dominance, and what determines it?
Coronary dominance is determined by which artery gives rise to the posterior interventricular artery (PDA).
What is the most common pattern of coronary dominance?
Right-dominant circulation (PDA arises from RCA).
What percentage of individuals have right-dominant coronary circulation?
About 70-80% of individuals.
What percentage of individuals have left-dominant coronary circulation?
About 10-15% of individuals.
What percentage of individuals have co-dominant coronary circulation?
About 5-10% of individuals.
What is the primary venous drainage of the heart?
The coronary sinus and its tributaries.
What are the major tributaries of the coronary sinus?
The great cardiac vein, middle cardiac vein, small cardiac vein, and posterior cardiac vein.
Where does the coronary sinus drain?
Into the right atrium near the inferior vena cava.
What is the function of the great cardiac vein?
It runs alongside the LAD and drains blood from the anterior interventricular septum and anterior walls of the ventricles.
What is the function of the middle cardiac vein?
It runs alongside the PDA and drains blood from the posterior interventricular septum.
What is the function of the small cardiac vein?
It drains blood from the right atrium and right ventricle.
What is the arterial supply of the sinoatrial (SA) node?
The sinoatrial nodal artery, which usually arises from the RCA.
What is the arterial supply of the atrioventricular (AV) node?
The atrioventricular nodal artery, which usually arises from the RCA.
What is the arterial supply of the interventricular septum?
The LAD supplies the anterior two-thirds, and the PDA supplies the posterior one-third.
What is myocardial ischemia, and what is its primary cause?
It is a condition where reduced blood flow to the myocardium leads to ischemic damage, primarily caused by atherosclerosis.
What is the clinical significance of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery in myocardial infarction?
The LAD is often called the ‘widowmaker’ because its occlusion can cause massive infarction and sudden death.
What is the role of collateral circulation in the coronary arteries?
It helps maintain blood supply when primary coronary arteries are obstructed.
What imaging techniques are commonly used to assess coronary circulation?
Coronary angiography, echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and CT angiography.
What is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and when is it indicated?
A surgical procedure where a graft is used to bypass blocked coronary arteries, indicated in severe coronary artery disease.
