Anterior interventricular artery

Anterior Interventricular Artery

Anterior interventricular artery visible at center.

The Anterior Interventricular Artery (AIA), also known as the Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD), is a major blood vessel of the heart. It is one of the two main branches of the left coronary artery, the other being the circumflex artery.

Structure

The AIA descends in the anterior interventricular sulcus, a groove on the surface of the heart between the left ventricle and the right ventricle. It supplies blood to the front part of the interventricular septum, the wall separating the left and right ventricles, and the anterior walls of both ventricles.

Function

The AIA plays a crucial role in supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. Any blockage in this artery can lead to a myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.

Clinical significance

The AIA is often the site of blockages leading to coronary artery disease. It is also the most commonly involved artery in a myocardial infarction.

See also

• Coronary circulation
• Coronary arteries
• Heart