摘要

BACKGROUND Left main coronary artery (LMCA) damage is a rare but catastrophic complication of cardiac ablation procedures. %26lt;br%26gt;OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomic relationships of the LMCA to its adjacent structures using analysis of computed tomographic coronary angiograms (CTCA). %26lt;br%26gt;METHODS We studied 100 patients (55 males, age 51 +/- 10 years) who were investigated for chest pain with CTCA. The relationships between the LMCA and adjacent structures were described by analysis of 2-dimensional images and 3-dimensional reconstructions. %26lt;br%26gt;RESULTS The LMCA coursed within 5 mm of the anterior left atrial endocardium and/or base of left atrial appendage in 49% (within 2 mm in 17%) and from the pulmonary artery in 90% (within 2 mm in 43%). The LMCA was within 5 mm of the right ventricular outflow tract in 1%. In 4% the LMCA coursed inferiorly, remaining within 5 mm of the left aortic sinus of Valsalva at a vertical distance %26gt;5 mm from the inferior margin of the LMCA ostium. %26lt;br%26gt;CONCLUSION The LMCA is often intimately related to the anterior left atrium, left atrial appendage base, and pulmonary artery and occasionally to the inferior part of the left aortic sinus of Valsalva and thus is exposed to the risk of injury during ablation in these areas. The LMCA is rarely close to the right ventricular outflow tract.

  • 出版日期2014-12