Characterisation and distribution of human coronary artery innervation
Authors' conclusion
Human coronary arteries are highly innervated with sympathetic nerve fibres, with significant variation in the distribution and density.
Study context
- Population
- Human epicardial coronary arteries with adjacent epicardial adipose tissue from 28 body donors28 body donors
- Participants
- 100 coronary arteries
- Comparison
- Left main coronary artery (LMCA) vs LAD vs LCx vs right coronary artery (RCA)
- LMCAn = 21
- LADn = 27
- LCxn = 26
- RCAn = 26
- Outcome
- Quantitative periarterial (sympathetic) innervation of epicardial coronary arteries
Methodological detailshistological, immunofluorescence staining
- Histological
- Immunofluorescence staining
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Periarterial innervation
| Group | Value | Nerve fibre diameter | Lumen-nerve distance | Total nerve fibre density (highest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LMCA | median 50 (IQR 31–81) μm | 50 μm [31-81] | 2.2 mm [1.2-4.1] | |
| LAD | median 42 (IQR 27–72) μm | 42 μm [27-72] | 2.5 mm [1.1-4.5] | |
| RCA | 123 nerves/cm² [82-194] |
Value
LMCAmedian 50 (IQR 31–81) μm
LADmedian 42 (IQR 27–72) μm
RCA— not stated in the abstract
Nerve fibre diameter
LMCA50 μm [31-81]
LAD42 μm [27-72]
RCA— not stated in the abstract
Lumen-nerve distance
LMCA2.2 mm [1.2-4.1]
LAD2.5 mm [1.1-4.5]
RCA— not stated in the abstract
Total nerve fibre density (highest)
LMCA— not stated in the abstract
LAD— not stated in the abstract
RCA123 nerves/cm² [82-194]
- LMCA vs LAD: P < 0.001 — nerve fibre diameter
- LMCA vs LAD: P = 0.005 — lumen-nerve distance
- Nerve fibre diameter decreased along vessel course: proximal 46 μm [31-73], middle 38 μm [26-58], distal 31 μm [22-46]
- P < 0.001
- Nerve density higher in myocardial (132 nerves/cm² [76-225]) than epicardial tissue area (101 nerves/cm² [61-173])
- P < 0.001
Original publication
Characterisation and distribution of human coronary artery innervation. EuroIntervention. Published 2 September 2024. doi:10.
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