Does the myocardial bridge protect the coronary from atherosclerosis? A comparison between the branches of the dual-left anterior descending coronary artery type 3: an autopsy study.

Objective: The best way to prove the protective role of myocardial bridges in the development of atherosclerotic changes in portions of the coronary beneath the bridge is to compare the morphological changes of the walls of the coronaries with and without a myocardial bridge, in those who have a so called 'dual left anterior descending coronary artery (dual LAD) type 3'.

Methods: A prospective autopsy study was performed over a 12-year period and approximately 3000-3500 hearts were examined, in order to establish the presence of a dual LAD type 3.

Results: A total of 10 such cases were observed and further analysed.