Introduction: The coronary circulation is a vital part of the cardiovascular system that supplies blood to the heart. The posterior interventricular artery (PIV) is a crucial branch of coronary circulation, and its origin has been a topic of debate among anatomists. Determining the origin of the PIV is important for managing coronary artery disease and assessing prognosis, especially in cases of coronary dominance. The aim of this study was to determine the origin of the posterior interventricular artery in a sample of preserved heart specimens and cadaver hearts.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 50 preserved heart specimens and cadaver hearts randomly selected from Anatomy department of United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj. The hearts were dissected to trace the course of the posterior interventricular artery from its origin to its termination, and any variations in origin and termination were noted. The coronary dominance was determined based on the origin of the PIV.

Results: Out of the 50 specimens studied, the posterior interventricular artery originated from the right coronary artery (RCA) in 90% of the hearts, from the left circumflex artery (LCX) in 8% of the hearts, and from both the RCA and LCX in 2% of the hearts. Thus, the study found a higher proportion of right-dominant hearts compared to left-dominant hearts.

Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the origin of the posterior interventricular artery in a sample of preserved heart specimens and cadaver hearts. The findings suggest that right dominance is more common than left dominance in the study population. The knowledge of normal and variant anatomy of coronary circulation can be beneficial for treating heart diseases and achieving better outcomes.

Keywords: Coronary circulation, Posterior interventricular artery, Coronary dominance