Why do they call LAD a widow maker? Cardiology Basics

Why do they call LAD a widow maker? Cardiology Basics LAD is short form for left anterior descending coronary artery. LAD is usually the largest branch of the left main coronary artery which supplies the major portion of the left ventricle. It supplies major portion of the interventricular septum which mostly constitutes the anterior wall of the left ventricle as seen on echocardiography. Coronary angiogram still picture shows a total occlusion of LAD. Coronary angiograms are obtained by injecting radiocontrast medication into the coronary artery and obtaining continuous X-ray imaging in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Occlusion of proximal LAD before its first septal and diagonal branches can cause a large myocardial infarction, which can sometimes be fatal. That is why LAD has been called a widow maker artery. This animation video shows the formation of a thrombus over an atherosclerotic plaque in the LAD. Here is an echocardiographic video clipping in case of occlusion of LAD producing infarction of the anterior wall of the left ventricle. Hypokinesia means decreased movement of a myocardial segment. Left ventricular myocardium has been divided into 17 segments in echocardiographic terminology. The various segments seen on multiple echocardiographic views have been labelled in the still images. The coronary artery which is involved can be inferred from the myocardial segment which show hypokinesia or other forms of regional wall motion abnormalities. When the LAD i...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs