What is a myocardial bridge? Cardiology Basics

What is a myocardial bridge? Cardiology Basics Normally the coronary arteries are located outside the myocardium. Occasionally a segment of the coronary artery passes through the myocardium. This causes a narrowing of that region in systole and is known as myocardial bridging. Myocardial bridging can be recognized as narrowing of a region of the coronary artery in systole which normalizes in diastole. Usually myocardial bridges do not cause myocardial ischemia as normally the blood flow into the myocardium occur mostly during diastole. Still myocardial bridges can rarely cause  myocardial ischemia and cause chest pain. Rarely this may need recurrent hospital admissions. Very occasionally a myocardial infarction or life threatening ventricular arrhythmias may occur. The risk is more in those with long myocardial bridge associated with coronary vasospasm. Longer and thicker myocardial bridges may be associated with coronary atherosclerotic plaques. The plaques are noted in locations preceding the region of the myocardial bridge. These partial obstructions can become complete later and cause a myocardial infarction. In this situation the occlusion occurs in a more proximal region of the coronary artery with higher significance. Generally myocardial bridges are left alone, though in some cases a stent may have to be inserted to prevent the blood vessel from collapsing in systole. It is not a preferred procedure and the results are often unsatisfactory. Stents inserted within...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs