Abouzaid Kamal A, Imam Ahmad, Basyouny Amira, Ooi Vincent, Coffin Michael K
Department of Anatomical Sciences, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, USA.
Department of Anatomical Sciences, Cairo University, Cairo, EGY.
Cureus. 2025 Jun 13;17(6):e85938. doi: 10.7759/cureus.85938. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary anomaly in which a segment of a coronary artery tunnels through the myocardium, potentially leading to ischemia, arrhythmias, or other clinical complications. While typically benign and most often involving a single band over the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, multiple myocardial bridges and involvement of other arteries, such as the posterior descending artery (PDA), represent rare anatomical variations. During a routine dissection at the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, multiple MB bands were observed in a 65-year-old male cadaver. Three distinct, thin myocardial bridges were identified over the LAD artery. Additionally, a single, thick myocardial bridge was found over the PDA. Notably, the LAD displayed a unique course, turning onto the inferior surface of the heart. The coronary circulation was right-dominant, and a pacemaker was present, with leads extending to the right atrium and right ventricle. No other structural abnormalities were noted. This case aligns with literature documenting variable MB presentations but stands out due to the coexistence of multiple bridges over the LAD and a separate, deep bridge over the PDA. These anatomical features may have contributed to the need for pacemaker placement, suggesting a history of conduction system dysfunction. The findings support previous observations that MB can be associated with arrhythmias and may complicate coronary blood flow. Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies vary widely depending on the extent and functional impact of MB. Awareness of such variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis, risk assessment, and interventional planning in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.
心肌桥(MB)是一种先天性冠状动脉异常,其中一段冠状动脉穿过心肌,可能导致心肌缺血、心律失常或其他临床并发症。虽然通常为良性,且最常见的是累及左前降支(LAD)动脉上的单一肌桥,但多支心肌桥以及其他动脉(如后降支动脉,PDA)受累则代表罕见的解剖变异。在威廉·凯里大学骨科医学院的一次常规解剖过程中,在一名65岁男性尸体上观察到多条心肌桥带。在LAD动脉上发现了三条明显的薄心肌桥。此外,在PDA上发现了一条单一的厚心肌桥。值得注意的是,LAD呈现出独特的走行,转向心脏下表面。冠状动脉循环为右优势型,存在起搏器,电极延伸至右心房和右心室。未发现其他结构异常。该病例与文献中记载的心肌桥不同表现相符,但因LAD上存在多条心肌桥以及PDA上有一条单独的深部心肌桥同时存在而引人注目。这些解剖特征可能导致了起搏器植入的必要性,提示存在传导系统功能障碍病史。这些发现支持了先前的观察结果,即心肌桥可与心律失常相关,并可能使冠状动脉血流复杂化。诊断和治疗策略因心肌桥的程度和功能影响而异。认识到这些变异对于心脏病学和心胸外科的准确诊断、风险评估及介入治疗规划至关重要。