Letter Re: The CLD Article “Trick Question!”

How many major coronary arteries does the human heart have? 

From Cath Lab Digest May 2016 
Available online at https://www.cathlabdigest.com/article/Trick-Question

Hi Marshall, 

I enjoyed the trick question article in May CLD about how many arteries in the heart, and using the fist as a guide for the size and direction of the arteries. However, I’m confused by all of the references to the left fist, but the pictures all reference the right fist. It’s probably the right fist, correct?

Thank you, 
Jody

Jody E. Hauff, RT(R)(CI), RCIS
Lead Technologist
Southwest General Health Center
Cardiac Cath Lab, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 
jhauff@swgeneral.com

Dear Jody,

So, there is more than one trick to my article. The answer is that I use my left hand. The heart, for most people, is on the left side (dextrocardia - mirror image). Actually, as you no doubt have seen, the heart is close to the center (mediastinal) with the apex protruding to the lower left.

That is one reason I use the left hand for demonstration. Truly, the left hand is a better representation than the right hand. Secondly, I am right-handed and use my right hand to point out the vessels.

You win! You were very attentive to the details.

Respectfully yours,
Marshall W. Ritchey, Director, Cardiac 
Clinical Services, Loma Linda University 
Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif.
marshallritchey@hotmail.com n