Left anterior descending artery
Template:Infobox Artery Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: LAD, anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery, anterior descending branch
Overview
LAD Description
The LAD passes at first behind the pulmonary artery and then comes forward between that vessel and the left auricula to reach the anterior interventricular sulcus, along which it descends to the incisura apicis cordis.
In 78% of cases, it reaches the apex of the heart.
LAD Segments
The LAD can be divided into three main segments which are:
Proximal left anterior descending artery
It extends from the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery to the origin of the first septal artery.
Mid left anterior descending artery
It extends from the origin of the first septal artery to the origin of the third septal artery.
Distal left anterior descending artery
It extends from the origin of the third septal artery to the apex of the left ventricle. If there is no third septal branch, then the third segment begins halfway between S1 and the apex of the left ventricle.