Myocardial bridging.
Human myocardial bridging is a normal anatomic variation in which a coronary artery is bridged by a short segment of myocardium. It can cause variable degrees of systolic obstruction. The majority of patients are asymptomatic. A wide variety of syndromes can occur, including myocardial infarction and sudden death. All patients with myocardial bridges have systolic artery compression, but it is postulated that ischemia develops only in those who have a concomitant decrease in diastolic coronary artery blood flow. Surgical removal of the myocardial bridge can be curative, and various other treatments can alleviate symptoms. The overall prognosis is good.
Frank
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Nationwide Insurance Enterprise, Life Insurance Medical Services, Columbus, OH 43215-2220, USA. frankr1@nationwide.com
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis