Myocardial Bridging: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence.

Authors :: Hostiuc S
Negoi I
Rusu MC
Hostiuc M
Source :: Journal of forensic sciences [J Forensic Sci] 2018 Jul; Vol. 63 (4), pp. 1176-1185. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Oct 16.
Publication Year :: 2018
Abstract: The main objective of this article was to analyze prevalence data about myocardial bridging (MB) in published studies. To this purpose, we performed a meta-analysis of studies published in English literature that contained data about the prevalence of MB and its anatomical characteristics. The overall prevalence was 19% (CI: 17-21%); autopsy studies revealed an overall prevalence of 42% (CI: 30-55%), CT studies 22% (CI: 18-25%), and coronary angiography 6% (CI: 5-8%). Most bridges were located on the left anterior descending artery (82% overall, 63% on autopsy studies), had a mean thickness of 2.47 mm and a mean length of 19.3 mm. In conclusion, autopsy studies should be the gold standard in evaluating the actual prevalence of myocardial bridges, while in vivo high-resolution CT scanning should be preferred to coronary angiography studies.<br /> (© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)