Anatomical variations of coronary ostia, aortocoronary angles and angles of division of the left coronary artery of the human heart.

Classic anatomical dissection of 150 heart specimens from adults aged 18 - 80 years was performed. Anatomical variations were studied in: (i) the position of the ostium of the left coronary artery; (ii) the angle between the proximal segment of the left coronary artery and the longitudinal axis of the aorta and between the circumflex and the anterior descending branches; (iii) the angle between the anterior descending artery and the diagonal branches, and between the diagonal and circumflex branches in trifurcation of the left coronary artery; (iv) the position of the ostium of the right coronary artery in the right coronary sinus of Valsalva; (v) the angle between the initial part of the right coronary artery and the longitudinal axis of the aorta; and (vi) the position of the initial part of the left coronary artery relative to the coronary groove. Knowledge of and the ability to recognize and identify the variety of sites of origin of coronary arteries, aortocoronary angles and angles of division of the left coronary artery of the human heart may help to overcome potential difficulties in cardiosurgical procedures, such as aortic valve replacement and reinsertion of coronary arteries.