Objective      To investigate the relationship of the intersection angles among left main coronary artery (LM)

left anterior descending branch (LAD) and left circumflex branch (LCX) with the formation and distribution of atherosclerotic plaques in the left coronary artery by 320-row computed tomography angiography (CTA).       Methods      A total of 127 patients receiving CTA examinations in our department from January to May 2014 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a normal group (n=44)

and a left coronary artery lesion group (n=83) which were further divided into 3 sub-groups: an LM group (n=18)

a proximal group (n=57) and a middle and distal group (n=8). The intersection angles among LM

LAD and LCX on the reconstructed images were measured

and then the relationships between the intersection angles among LM

LAD and LCX and the formation and distribution of atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed.       Results      In the 127 patients

the intersection angle between LM and LAD was negatively correlated with that (the bifurcation angle) between LAD and LCX (r=-0.356

P0.05)

and the intersection angle between LM and LCX was also negatively correlated with the bifurcation angle (r=-0.662

P0.05). There was significant difference in the bifurcation angle between the proximal group (90.9°±20.0°) and the normal group (72.7°±16.7°) (P0.05)

and the intersection angle between LM and LCX had significant difference between the proximal group (117.8°±16.0°) and the normal group (129.5°±15.9°) (P0.05). The formation of plaques at the proximal segment of LAD was positively correlated with the bifurcation angle and negatively correlated with the intersection angle between LM and LCX. When the bifurcation angle was 70°

the probability of plaque formation at the left coronary artery was increased.       Conclusion      The bifurcation angle and the intersection angle between LM and LCX are correlated with the formation and distribution of the plaques at the proximal segment of LAD

and multi-slice CTA can provide relevant feature information for the left coronary artery plaque formation

risk prediction and preoperative interventional therapy in a non-invasive

accurate and fast manner.