Anatomic variations in the origin of the left circumflex coronary artery with angiography in Northern Indian population

Introduction: Knowledge of the normal and variant anatomy and anomalies of coronary circulation is definitely a crucial component in the management of heart diseases. Complex cardiac surgical repairs demand enhanced understanding of the basic anatomy to improve the operative outcomes. Material and methods: The present study was planned by Department of Anatomy and was executed in collaboration with Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology during 2010 to 2014 at a tertiary care teaching hospital located in western Uttar Pradesh. The angiographic data of 5,532 patients who underwent coronary angiography were considered for anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx). Results: The incidence of anomalous origin of the LCx was found to be 0.36%. The LCx arose from the left coronary sinus of valsalva (there was separate orifice for the LCx and the left anterior descending coronary artery) in 45.0% patients, from the right coronary sinus of valsalva, (there was a separate orifice for the LCx and the right coronary artery) in 25.0% patients, from the proximal part of right coronary artery in 30.0% patients. Conclusion: On the basis of findings of the current study it can be concluded that, the anomalous origin of the LCx may not be benign all the time. In cases where ischemia does not resolve accurately after successful treatment of a coronary stenosis, anomalous coronary arteries must be considered.