CORONARY ARTERY ANATOMY AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Abstract

Coronary artery anatomy is a fundamental determinant of myocardial perfusion and plays a critical role in the pathogenesis, localization, and clinical presentation of myocardial infarction (MI). This study aims to analyze the anatomical structure of coronary arteries and evaluate their clinical implications in ischemic heart disease. The coronary circulation is primarily composed of the left coronary artery, which divides into the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries, and the right coronary artery (RCA). Each of these vessels supplies specific regions of the myocardium, and variations in their distribution significantly influence the extent and severity of ischemic injury. The findings demonstrate that occlusion of different coronary arteries leads to distinct patterns of myocardial infarction. In particular, LAD occlusion is associated with anterior wall infarction and carries a higher risk of complications due to the large myocardial territory involved. RCA occlusion commonly results in inferior wall infarction and may be associated with conduction abnormalities, while LCX occlusion often causes lateral or posterior infarction, which may present with less typical clinical and electrocardiographic features. Additionally, variations in coronary dominance, such as right-dominant, left-dominant, or co-dominant circulation, play an important role in determining clinical outcomes and prognosis.