LAD Coronary Artery
LAD Coronary Artery
| 🫀 20 High-Yield Facts About the LAD Coronary Artery | |
|---|---|
| 1. LAD is a branch of the LMCA | + |
| The Left Anterior Descending artery originates from the Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA). | |
| 2. Supplies anterior 2/3 of septum | + |
| LAD perfuses the anterior 2/3 of the interventricular septum including bundle branches. | |
| 3. Supplies anterior wall of LV | + |
| The LAD is responsible for perfusing the anterior wall of the left ventricle. | |
| 4. Known as the “Widow-Maker” | + |
| A proximal LAD occlusion often causes massive MI or sudden cardiac death. | |
| 5. ST elevation in V1–V4 | + |
| Anterior MI due to LAD occlusion shows ST elevation in leads V1 to V4. | |
| 6. Q waves in V1–V4 post-MI | + |
| Indicates prior infarction in LAD territory. | |
| 7. Diagonal branches arise from LAD | + |
| These supply the anterolateral wall of the LV. | |
| 8. LAD runs in the anterior IV groove | + |
| Anatomical course of the LAD lies in the anterior interventricular sulcus. | |
| 9. Septal rupture is a complication | + |
| Due to necrosis of septal myocardium supplied by the LAD. | |
| 10. Supplies bundle branches | + |
| LAD infarct may lead to conduction block via ischemia to bundle branches. | |
| 11. Wellens’ syndrome = critical LAD stenosis | + |
| Biphasic or deep T inversions in V2–V3 indicate high-grade LAD narrowing. | |
| 12. Wraparound LAD may supply inferior wall | + |
| Can cause ST elevation in inferior leads too. | |
| 13. Echo: anterior/septal hypokinesis | + |
| Indicates wall motion abnormality due to LAD infarct. | |
| 14. New LBBB + chest pain = LAD MI | + |
| STEMI equivalent needing immediate action. | |
| 15. TIMI score used for LAD-related ACS | + |
| TIMI score helps risk-stratify patients with potential LAD involvement. | |
| 16. LAD infarction → VT/VF risk | + |
| Anterior MIs from LAD are prone to early arrhythmias. | |
| 17. Can cause mitral regurgitation | + |
| Via ischemia of anterior papillary muscle. | |
| 18. PCI or CABG needed in critical stenosis | + |
| Revascularization is standard for significant LAD lesions. | |
| 19. SA node not supplied by LAD | + |
| SA node is typically supplied by RCA (60%) or LCX (40%). | |
| 20. ST depression in aVR ≠ LAD occlusion | + |
| ST depression in aVR is more suggestive of pericarditis or left main disease. | |
[Figure, Anatomy of the Heart. The…] – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
Anatomy of the Heart. The illustration shows the right and left ventricles, right atrium, conus arteriosus, right coronary artery, and superior vena cava. Henry Vandyke Carter, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
LAD Coronary Artery
| No. | Key Point | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Branch of LMCA | LAD originates from the left main coronary artery. |
| 2 | Supplies anterior septum | LAD perfuses the anterior 2/3 of the interventricular septum. |
| 3 | Major wall supplied | It supplies the anterior wall of the left ventricle. |
| 4 | “Widow-maker” artery | Proximal LAD occlusion can cause sudden cardiac death. |
| 5 | ST elevation in V1–V4 | Anterior STEMI from LAD shows ST elevation in precordial leads. |
| 6 | Q waves in V1–V4 | Chronic infarction from LAD leads to pathologic Q waves here. |
| 7 | Diagonal branches | Arise from LAD to supply the anterolateral myocardium. |
| 8 | Anterior interventricular groove | LAD travels in this anatomical groove on the heart. |
| 9 | Septal rupture risk | LAD infarction can cause ventricular septal rupture. |
| 10 | Bundle branch supply | LAD supplies the left and right bundle branches. |
| 11 | Wellens’ syndrome | Biphasic/inverted T waves in V2–V3 indicate critical LAD stenosis. |
| 12 | Wraparound LAD | Reaches apex and inferior wall—can mimic inferior MI on ECG. |
| 13 | Echo finding | Anterior septal hypokinesis on echo suggests LAD infarct. |
| 14 | New LBBB + chest pain | Consider LAD occlusion; this is a STEMI equivalent. |
| 15 | TIMI risk score | Used to assess risk in ACS patients, often involving LAD. |
| 16 | Anterior MI complications | Includes VT/VF, cardiogenic shock, and mechanical rupture. |
| 17 | Valve dysfunction | LAD infarction can cause mitral regurgitation via papillary muscle ischemia. |
| 18 | PCI or CABG needed | High-grade LAD stenosis often requires revascularization. |
| 19 | Not SA node supplier | SA node is supplied by RCA or circumflex—not LAD. |
| 20 | ST depression in aVR | Suggests pericarditis or reciprocal changes—helps differentiate from LAD occlusion. |
