RCA dominance
The anatomical pattern where the right coronary artery gives rise to the posterior descending artery and supplies the inferior wall of the left ventricle.
Full Definition
Right coronary artery (RCA) dominance refers to the most common coronary anatomy pattern (85% of the population) where the RCA extends beyond the acute margin of the heart to give rise to the posterior descending artery (PDA) and typically the posterolateral branches. This anatomical variant determines the blood supply to the inferior and posterior walls of the left ventricle and influences the conduction system blood supply. RCA dominance affects procedural planning and risk stratification, as RCA occlusion in dominant systems can cause hemodynamically significant inferior wall infarctions with potential atrioventricular conduction disturbances. Alternative patterns include left dominance and co-dominance, each carrying different clinical implications for interventional procedures.
Usage
Usage note: Essential to document dominance pattern in comprehensive angiographic reports as it affects treatment planning and risk assessment.
In Context
- "The angiogram confirmed RCA dominance with the PDA arising from the distal right coronary artery." — Anatomy assessment
- "Given the RCA dominance, the inferior wall infarction was attributed to the proximal RCA occlusion." — Clinical correlation