variations in the origin of the coronary artery in black African population: a cadaveric study in western Kenya

Abstract

Background: The coronary arteries which originate from the right and left aortic orifices are the main blood vessels to the myocardium. Variations are anomalies which could affect the overall perfusion of the myocardium causing conditions like ischemic heart diseases leading to sudden unpredicted death. Variants can also cause confusion to cardiologists and heart surgeons leading to challenges in patient management. This study sought to determine these variations among black African population in Western Kenya by assessing the variations in origin of the coronary artery. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in the Maseno University, Uzima University and Masinde Muliro University Human anatomy laboratories. Out of a total of 89 cadavers,72 samples were identified using Cochran’s formula. Data sheets were used to capture the variables while descriptive statistics was used to calculate the frequency and percentage of the variation in the origin of the coronary arteries while Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between the variables and variations P=≤ 0.05 considered as significant. All ethical approval was issued via license number: NACOSTI /P/22/21905.Results: Dual aortic origin was the most common occurrence at 55.6% while 44.4% were variations with more than one orifice on the aortic cusps. Conclusions: There were variations which could be fatal during surgical procedures, but also important alternate pathway for the perfusion of the myocardium. There is need for early routine imaging of the heart for effective management and to avoid mortalities and morbidity associated with the variations.