Left anterior descending coronary artery

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Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery

Illustration of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery (LAD) from Gray's Anatomy

The Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery (LAD) is one of the two main coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. It is a branch of the left coronary artery and is considered the most critical of the coronary arteries due to its supply to a large portion of the left ventricle.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The LAD runs down the anterior interventricular groove. It gives off two types of branches: diagonal branches and septal branches. The diagonal branches supply the anterior and lateral walls of the left ventricle, while the septal branches supply the anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

The LAD is commonly involved in coronary artery disease, and blockage can lead to a type of myocardial infarction known as an anterior wall MI. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are two common treatments for LAD blockage.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD