Variation in Origin and Termination of Posterior Interventricular Artery - Cadaveric Study

BACKGROUND: Human heart is supplied by both coronary arteries. Posterior interventricular artery determines the coronary dominance. Variation in origin, course and termination of posterior interventricular artery may affect the blood supply of heart. MATERIALS & METHODS: 30 formalin fixed human adult cadaveric heart were dissected in Department of Anatomy, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore and studied the origin, termination of posterior interventricular artery in posterior interventricular sulcus. RESULTS: Out of 30 specimens, in 28 (93%) specimens the PIVA arises from RCA and in 2 (7%) specimens the PIVA arises from LCA. The termination of PIVA, at 1/4th way down to PIVS noted in 7specimens (23%), at 1/2th way down to PIVS noted in 12 specimens (40%), at 3/4th way down to PIVS noted in 9 specimens (30%), at apex noted in 2 specimens (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior interventricular artery has special features, since it determines the coronary dominance. Blood supply of inferior myocardium depends on coronary dominance. Hence awareness of origin of PIVA is important in treating myocardial infarction. Knowledge about variation in origin, course and termination is important for radiologist, interventional cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeons. Key words: Posterior Interventricular artery, Coronary dominance, Right dominance, Left dominance, Codominance