Abstract

Background: The left circumflex coronary artery normally originated from left coronary artery , however, this artery may change its origin either from left aortic sinus or from right aortic sinus. This knowledgement may help in understanding some of ischemic heart diseases and its consequences on cardiac surgery.
Objective: To know the incidence of anatomical variations of left circumflex coronary artery origin among people in Basrah.
Patients and Method: Prospective study of the coronary angiography carried out in cardiac catheterization center at Al-Sader Teaching Hospital during period from 5th of October 2012 to end of June 2013. A sample of 315 patients was recruited with normal coronary angiography.
Results: In the present study the left circumflex artery was variable in its origin, the left circumflex artery originated from the left coronary artery in 97.1%, originated from the left aortic sinus in 1.9% and in 1% of the sample it originated from right aortic sinus.
Conclusions: Recognition of the origin of left circumflex coronary artery and its anatomical variations before cardiac surgery is important to prevent myocardial infarction and death. Special surgical consideration must perform in valvular replacement in patient with variation of origin of left circumflex coronary artery.