An anatomical anomaly in which myocardial fibers make the bridge over the epicardial coronary artery is called 'myocardial bridge'. Its clinical significance has been emphasized, because some serious cardiac diseases such as myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death can be developed.

Forty five patients (30 male and 15 female, 48±11.0 years) out of 4,694 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography and diagnosed as myocardial bridge at Chonnam National University Hospital between January 1996 and March 1999 were analyzed retrospectively.

The incidence of myocardial bridge on the coronary angiography was 0.95%. Middle left anterior descending artery was most common (36 patients, 80%) in the location. Associated stenoses were observed in 5 cases (11.1%). For the pharmacological treatment, calcium antagonist (26 cases, 57.7%), beta-blocker (23 cases, 51.1%) and nitrate (9 cases, 20.0%) were used. Single regimen was used in 30 (66.7%) cases, dual drugs were administered in 11 (24.4%) and triple drugs in 2 (4.4%) cases. During clinical follow-up of 40 patients for 14±11 months (4-40 months), no major cardiac events developed in all patients.

The incidence of the myocardial bridge is 0.95% and middle left anterior descending artery was the most common site. Long-term prognosis is relatively good in almost patients with myocardial bridge.