Objective: The impact of coronary tortuosity on coronary atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study was performed to determine to the relationship between coronary tortuosity and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis.
Methods: Tortuosity and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis in the main coronary arteries were evaluated. The coronary artery was divided into non-tortuous and tortuous segments. The incidence of coronary atherosclerosis between the two segments was compared.
Results: The prevalence of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis was significantly lower in the tortuous than non-tortuous segment.
Conclusion: The prevalence of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis is lower in the coronary tortuous than non-tortuous segment, indicating that coronary tortuosity might be considered a protective factor for atherosclerosis.
Keywords: Coronary tortuosity; coronary angiography; coronary atherosclerosis; endothelial shear stress; impact; protective factor.