1. Defintion
The left coronary artery (LCA) is one of the two main arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart, branching from the aorta. It divides into the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the circumflex (LCx) artery, which provide blood to the left atrium, left ventricle, and the interventricular septum.
2. Course
3. Branches
- circumflex artery
- Anterior interventricular artery or left anterior descending or widowmaker*
- Others (left marginal branch, posterior left ventricular branch, lateral or diagonal branch, atrial branch)
4. Supply
Left atrium, small strip of RV on the right of anterior interventricular sulcus, Major part of left ventricle except a narrow strip left of posterior interventricular sulcus, anterior superior two third of interventricular septum.
5. Clinical relevance
The left coronary artery (LCA) is clinically significant because blockages in its major branches, particularly the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, are often associated with severe myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) that affect a large portion of the heart, potentially leading to heart failure or death. A complete blockage in the LCA or LAD is sometimes called a “widowmaker” due to the high risk of sudden death, making early diagnosis and intervention critical through procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).