Myocardial Bridging

Myocardial bridging occurs when a coronary artery takes a deep course within the myocardium of the left ventricle itself.

This is thought to be a benign finding not resulting in any clinical manifestations; however, it can be seen angiographically. Severe cases have been reported to cause stable angina symptoms and bypass grafting using a mammary artery to the left anterior descending (the most commonly affected coronary vessel) has been performed. Tachycardia worsens the coronary perfusion in patients with myocardial bridging since the coronary arteries fill during diastolic any tachycardia shortens diastolic filling time. Myocardial bridging is also associated with coronary vasospasm.