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Coronary Arteries Myocardium

A myocardial bridge occurs when a coronary artery tunnels through the heart muscle rather than resting on top. This causes pressure and constriction of the artery when the heart contracts. The condition is present from birth and can lead to abnormal heartbeats and chest pain. It is diagnosed based on the level of artery blockage caused, with over 70% blockage usually causing pain. Complications can include spasms, chest pain, arrhythmias, and discomfort in certain positions.

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14 views1 page

Coronary Arteries Myocardium

A myocardial bridge occurs when a coronary artery tunnels through the heart muscle rather than resting on top. This causes pressure and constriction of the artery when the heart contracts. The condition is present from birth and can lead to abnormal heartbeats and chest pain. It is diagnosed based on the level of artery blockage caused, with over 70% blockage usually causing pain. Complications can include spasms, chest pain, arrhythmias, and discomfort in certain positions.

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A myocardial bridge occurs when one of the coronary arteries tunnels through the myocardium

rather than resting on top of it. Typically, the arteries rest on top of the heart muscle and feed
blood down into smaller vessels that populate throughout the myocardium. But if the muscle
grows around one of the larger arteries, then a myocardial bridge is formed. As the heart
squeezes to pump blood, the muscle exerts pressure across the bridge and constricts the artery.
This defect is present from birth. It can lead to uncomfortable, powerful heartbeats and angina.
The incidence of the condition in the general population is estimated at 5% based on autopsy
findings,[1] but significance when found in association with other cardiac conditions is unknown.
[2]

The condition is diagnosed on a scale based on what percentage of obstruction occurs. If there is
less than 50% blockage, then the condition is probably benign. A result of at least 70% usually
causes some pain. Small amounts of myocardial bridging often are undetectable, as the blood
usually flows through the coronary while the heart is relaxing in diastole.

This condition can cause complications such as vasospasm, angina pectoris, arrhythmia,
ventricular tachycardia. Additionally many patients express discomfort in specific positions, (i.e.
lying on the left side for a prolonged period of time).

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