A myocardial bridge occurs when one of the coronary arteries tunnels through the myocardium rather than resting on top of it. Typically, the arteries rest on top of the heart muscle and feed blood down into smaller vessels that populate throughout the myocardium. But if the muscle grows around one of the larger arteries, then a myocardial bridge is formed. As the heart squeezes to pump blood, the muscle exerts pressure across the bridge and constricts the artery. This defect is present from birth. It can lead to uncomfortable, powerful heartbeats and angina. The incidence of the condition in the general population is estimated at 5% based on autopsy findings,[1] but significance when found in association with other cardiac conditions is unknown.[2]
The condition is diagnosed on a scaled based on what percentage of obstruction occurs. If there is less than 50% blockage, then the condition is probably benign. A result of at least 70% usually causes some pain. Small amounts of myocardial bridging often are undetectable, as the blood usually flows through the coronary while the heart is relaxing in diastole.
This condition can cause complications such as vasospasm, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, Vtach. Additionally many patients express discomfort in specific positions, (i.e. lying on the left side for a prolonged period of time).
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Figure 1 shows a series of angiographic images with a bridge on the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in a male patient of 65 years.