Gender differences in the types and frequency of coronary artery anomalies

Abstract

Coronary artery anomalies are rarely encountered in general population. Gender may play a role in the types and incidence of coronary artery anomalies, although the effect of gender is not well established. Inthe present study, we therefore aimed to investigate the frequency and location of various types of coronaryartery anomalies and their correlation with gender. We assessed retrospectively the coronary angiographymovies of 7,810 patients (2,214 females and 5,596 males), the method of which is distinct from the earlierstudies with angiographic archive records. We defined and classified the coronary artery anomaliesaccording to their origin, course (myocardial bridge), and termination (istula). The incidence of coronaryartery anomalies was 3.35% (262 of 7,810): 130 individuals with anomalous origin (1.66%), 105 individualswith myocardial bridges (1.34%), and 27 with fistulas (0.35%). The frequency of the coronary arteryanomalies was signiicantly higher in the females than the males (p = 0.001). Of the coronary artery originanomalies, the circumlex and the left anterior descending artery originating from separate ostia in the leftaortic sinus were higher in the females compared to the males (P < 0.001). In contrast, the frequency ofmyocardial bridges was higher in the males (P = 0.01). No gender difference was detected in fistulas.Thus, gender affects the types of coronary artery anomalies, except for istulas. The determination of thepresence of the coronary artery anomalies during the coronary angiography is critical for the planning of thetreatment and for the proper clinical follow-up of patients. © 2011 Tohoku University Medical Press.