This question is very interesting, Tim. However I do not think that the morphology of coronary dominance may affect the functionality of the pump rate, if the vessels are free of the disease. As you know the function of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system, the kidneys, the heart, the vascular system, and the blood. The athletic performance are dependent by something of more complex that involves the anaerobic threshold, beyond the coronary morphology. Best, Massimo

It is true that a lot of factors play a role and also that the morphology of coronary dominance will probably not influence directly the pump rate. But i can imagine that one or another morphology can influence the blood flow of some smaller parts of the myocardium (for example in the interventricular septum) and in that way some parts can get their oxygen in a more efficient way than other parts. Which could have its repercussions on sustained efforts. These are just assumptions, but I thought to myself that it might be interesting to look at coronary dominance in this context. Gr Tim

Hi Tim,

I do not know about data on this subject. From a physiological point of view, I would rather agree with Massimo Bolognese. The normal variability of coronary anatomy shouldn't play a role. We have however to exclude coronary abnormalities such as abnormal (pulmonary) origin of a coronary artery that could lead to sudden cardiac death in children and in atletes and that may be linked to the development of heart failure. But this is a rare condition. 

Groeten,

Thierry Gillebert

Thank you for the response. Indeed, no data is available on this subject. This is why i wondered if there could be an anatomical innate advantage of the coronary circulation in the context of extreme or sustained efforts.

Greetings

Tim