Background: Human heart is supplied by the right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA). Both these arteries vary in their origin, number, area of distribution, diameter, as well as in their length.
Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to measure the segmental as well as total lengths of LCA and RCA in the aborted human fetal hearts to find any correlation between the advancement of the gestational age (GA) and change in the length of coronary arteries and to find any statistically significant difference among various parameters between the male and female fetus.
Materials and Methods: Fetal hearts were dissected out from 30 formalin-fixed aborted human fetuses after obtaining due permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee. In each heart, both the coronary arteries were cleared from its commencement from the corresponding coronary sinus to its termination at the crux of heart. Each coronary artery was divided into three segments using 4 points over their course and length of each segment was measured.
Results: Mean lengths of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd segment of RCA were 3.58 mm, 11.73 mm, and 15.54 mm, respectively. Mean total length of RCA was 30.85 mm. Mean lengths of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd segment of LCA were 14.56 mm, 16.9 mm, and 23.2 mm, respectively. Mean total length of LCA was 54.66 mm. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between fetal GA and length of 3rd segment of RCA in male fetus, total length of RCA in male fetus, length of 1st segment of LCA in male fetus, total length of LCA in male fetus, as well as length of 1st segment of LCA in female fetus. Statistically significant association was found between male and female fetus in regard to length of 2nd segment of RCA as well as total length of RCA.
Conclusion: Statistically significant positive correlation between fetal GA and various segments of RCA and LCA is suggestive of continuous growth of coronary vasculature as the fetal GA advances.
Key words: Measurement; Length of Coronary Arteries; Fetal Hearts; Correlation; Gestational Age
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