见冠状动脉前降支的横切面有明显粥样硬化及管腔狭窄，左边动脉的近端部分尤为明显（自左向右依次排列着从近端到远端的切面）。通常粥样硬化最严重的是近端，因为近端血流形成更多湍流。病灶越多血管成形术或分流术的操作越复杂。
Cross sections of this anterior descending coronary artery demonstrate marked atherosclerosis with narrowing. This is most pronounced at the left in the more proximal portion of this artery. In general, the worst atherosclerosis is proximal, where arterial blood flow is more turbulent. More focal lesions mean that angioplasty or bypass can be more useful procedures.