Angiographic and surgical aspects of compressive muscular bridges and intramyocardial paths of the anterior interventricular artery (based on 12 cases)

The authors report 12 cases of myocardial bridges over the anterior interventricular artery discovered surgically. In 5 the compressive myocardial bridges were limited; in 7 the intramyocardial course of the anterior ventricular artery was discovered at operation. Comparison of the operative appearances with the angiographic findings affords a basis for anatomico-radiologic correlation. The authors stress the difference in frequency and significance between the compressive myocardial bridge (an indication for surgery) and the intramyocardial anterior interventricular artery discovered by chance during a procedure for coronary revascularization indicated for stenosing atherosclerotic lesions.