The PDA coronary artery, or posterior descending artery, is a crucial blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart. It's also known as the posterior interventricular artery.
Role and Location
The posterior descending artery (PDA) runs along the posterior interventricular sulcus, a groove on the back of the heart, towards the apex (tip) of the heart. It meets the left anterior descending (LAD) artery at the apex, which travels along the heart's anterior (front) surface. The PDA's primary function is to supply oxygen-rich blood to the inferior (lower) wall of the left ventricle, the inferior portion of the septum, and, in some cases, the posterior wall of the left ventricle.
Dominance
The term "dominance" in coronary artery anatomy refers to which artery supplies the PDA. In most individuals (around 70-85%), the PDA originates from the right coronary artery (RCA), making them "right dominant." In about 10-15% of people, the PDA arises from the left circumflex artery (LCx), a branch of the left coronary artery, making them "left dominant." In rare cases, the PDA can arise from both the RCA and LCx, a situation termed "co-dominance."
Clinical Significance
The PDA is clinically significant because its blockage can lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction), specifically affecting the inferior wall of the left ventricle. Depending on the dominance, a blockage in either the RCA or the LCx (if left dominant) can lead to a PDA occlusion and subsequent cardiac damage. Treatment usually involves prompt reperfusion, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent placement to restore blood flow.
