[Anatomic and hemodynamic study of anterior communicating artery complex].

Anterior communicating artery complex accounts for the most frequent site of cerebral aneurysms and it is characterized by its great anatomical variability. The development of aneurysms in this complex has been associated with the asymmetry of its afferent vessels. An anatomical and hemodynamic study of the anterior communicating artery was performed. Twenty brain samples obtained from adult necropsies were studied by means of microsurgical dissection. Additionally; 118 cerebral angiographies from patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage were studied. A high number of perforanting vessels originated at the anterior communicating artery complex was a relevant finding. The number, distribution and size of these vessels is reported accurately. Analysis of the angiographies showed the association between the existence of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm and the presence of a blood flow predominance through one of the two proximal anterior cerebral arterias.