diagonal branch
Septal branches of the LAD that supply the anterior and anterolateral walls of the left ventricle.
Full Definition
Diagonal branches are lateral branches that arise from the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and supply the anterior and anterolateral walls of the left ventricle. These vessels are numbered sequentially as D1, D2, etc., based on their order of origin from the LAD. Large diagonal branches may be suitable targets for bypass grafting or percutaneous intervention when significantly diseased. The size and distribution of diagonal branches vary considerably between patients, with some having large, prominent diagonals while others may have small or absent branches. In coronary interventions, diagonal branch origin may be affected by LAD stenting, requiring careful technique to preserve side branch flow.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as D1, D2, etc., with size descriptors (small, moderate, large).
In Context
- "The large first diagonal branch showed 85% ostial stenosis requiring balloon angioplasty." — Interventional procedure note
- "Care was taken to protect the large D1 branch during LAD stent deployment." — Procedural report