Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction:
An 89-year old female presents to the gross anatomy lab with an abnormally high right coronary ostium relative to the aortic valve and the left coronary ostium. The right coronary ostium is typically located within the anterior aortic sinus above the aortic valve and is the origin of the right coronary artery. A high right coronary ostium can lead to vascular problems as blood flow can be reduced to the right coronary artery and can cause myocardial ischemia.
Methods:
The 89-year old female cadaver was routinely dissected in the gross anatomy lab at the PCOM-GA. Permissions were obtained from the body donation program to document and publish the findings. Measurements were obtained using digital calipers and documented through photographs.
Results:
The right coronary ostium was found to be exceptionally high as compared to normal height ranges relative to the aortic valve. The distance was also greater than the distance between the aortic valve and the left coronary ostium. No other developmental abnormalities were found on the heart and there was no evidence of previous bypass surgery. The cadaver was found to have a cause of death of cerebrovascular disease.
Discussion:
This report shows a rare anatomical abnormality that may have contributed to vascular deficits in the heart and other organs. While the right coronary ostium is high, the left ostium falls within normal limits. Documentation of this abnormality is beneficial for reducing surgical and diagnostic cardiac procedural complications. Further research is needed to understand if there is a direct causal link between a high coronary ostium and cerebrovascular disease.
Embargo Period
6-1-2026
Included in
Anatomic variance of a high right coronary ostium
Suwanee, GA
Introduction:
An 89-year old female presents to the gross anatomy lab with an abnormally high right coronary ostium relative to the aortic valve and the left coronary ostium. The right coronary ostium is typically located within the anterior aortic sinus above the aortic valve and is the origin of the right coronary artery. A high right coronary ostium can lead to vascular problems as blood flow can be reduced to the right coronary artery and can cause myocardial ischemia.
Methods:
The 89-year old female cadaver was routinely dissected in the gross anatomy lab at the PCOM-GA. Permissions were obtained from the body donation program to document and publish the findings. Measurements were obtained using digital calipers and documented through photographs.
Results:
The right coronary ostium was found to be exceptionally high as compared to normal height ranges relative to the aortic valve. The distance was also greater than the distance between the aortic valve and the left coronary ostium. No other developmental abnormalities were found on the heart and there was no evidence of previous bypass surgery. The cadaver was found to have a cause of death of cerebrovascular disease.
Discussion:
This report shows a rare anatomical abnormality that may have contributed to vascular deficits in the heart and other organs. While the right coronary ostium is high, the left ostium falls within normal limits. Documentation of this abnormality is beneficial for reducing surgical and diagnostic cardiac procedural complications. Further research is needed to understand if there is a direct causal link between a high coronary ostium and cerebrovascular disease.