Anat Cell Biol.  2018 Jun;51(2):139-141. 10.5115/acb.2018.51.2.139.

Trifurcation of right coronary artery and its huge right ventricular branch: can it be hazardous?

• Nayak SB

• KMID: 2421179
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2018.51.2.139

Abstract

The objective of this case report is to alert the cardiologists and radiologists about the possibility of an extremely rare trifurcation of the right coronary artery. During dissection classes, an early trifurcation of the right coronary artery (RCA) was observed in an adult male cadaver aged approximately 65 years. The RCA had a normal origin from the anterior aortic sinus. After a course of just 2 mm, it trifurcated into a conus artery, a huge right ventricular branch and then a main continuation of the RCA. The conus artery entered the myocardium of the conus after a short course. The huge ventricular branch had a downward and left course almost till the apex of the heart. Right marginal artery was absent. No other vascular variations of heart were observed apart from this. Knowledge of this trifurcation could be useful in coronary angioplasty and bypass procedures.

Keyword

Coronary artery; Heart; Conus artery; Ventricular; Coronary stent

MeSH Terms

Adult
Angioplasty
Arteries
Cadaver
Conus Snail
Coronary Vessels*
Heart
Humans
Male
Myocardium
Sinus of Valsalva

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Dissection of the heart showing the early trifurcation of the right coronary artery. AA, ascending aorta; CA, conus artery; PT, pulmonary trunk; RA, right atrium; RCA, right coronary artery; VB, huge right ventricular branch.

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  Fig. 2 Superior view of the heart showing single opening of right coronary artery (indicated by the arrow) in the anterior aortic sinus. Ascending aorta has been opened. Pulmonary trunk (PT) can also be seen.

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  Fig. 3 Front view of the heart showing the right coronary artery and the anterior interventricular artery embedded in the fat. AA, ascending aorta; AIVA, anterior interventricular artery, covered by fat; CA, conus artery; PT, pulmonary trunk; RCA, right coronary artery; VB, huge right ventricular branch.

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