Anomalous origin of left main coronary artery from the noncoronary sinus: An intravascular ultrasound observation

We report on a rare case of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. Intraaortic intravascular ultrasound study identified the origin of the left coronary artery and facilitated subsequent selective coronary angiography of the artery. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:430–433, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Frequency in the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery with angiography in a Turkish population

OBJECTIVE: The estimate frequency of anatomic variations in origin of the right coronary artery in a Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The angiographic data of 5253 consecutive adults patients undergoing coronary angiography were analysed retrospectively for the diagnosis of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery. RESULTS: Among 5253 adults patients, five (0.09%) patients had anomalous origin of the right coronary. They had an isolated anomalous origin of the right coronary artery. The right coronary arose from the left coronary sinus of Valsalva (there was separate orificium for the right coronary artery and the left coronary artery) in two (0.03%) patients, from above the left coronary sinus of Valsalva in three (0.05%) patients. In all patients, the anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva and from above the left coronary sinus of Valsalva coursed between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. CONCLUSION: The anomalous origin of the right coronary artery is a rare congenital cardiac malformation. Most patients remain asymptomatic. However, there are cases of sudden cardiac death described in the literature, indicating a potentially malign course of the disease. The angiographic recognition of this vessel may be useful for physicians dealing with diagnosis and treatment of the anomaly of the right coronary artery.     

Morbidity associated with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva

Anomalies of the coronary arteries occur infrequently, but can have major clinical consequences. Many reports have described an association between sudden death and origin of the left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, but origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva is thought to be benign. Herein, we describe a patient in whom anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva was associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity. A 25-year-old man developed complete heart block and myocardial infarction in the distribution of a dominant anomalous right coronary artery free of atherosclerotic lesions. Systolic compression at the origin of the anomalous artery was demonstrated. The left coronary artery was normal. We conclude that anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva may be associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity in the absence of atherosclerosis.     

Acute myocardial infarction caused by "malignant" anomalous right coronary artery detected by multidetector row computed tomography.

Anomalous coronary arteries are usually identified incidentally by angiography or autopsy, but some "malignant" coronary anomalies are associated with a high incidence of syncope, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. So far, the pathogenesis of the coronary events in such cases has only been revealed by autopsy. In the present case report, a patient with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva developed acute myocardial infarction, and visualization of the anomaly and assessment of the culprit plaque in the artery were done by multidetector row computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound.     

Spontaneous Termination of Ventricular Fibrillation in a Patient with Congenital Coronary Anomaly

Sudden death is common in patients with congenital coronary artery anomalies mainly when the left main coronary artery originates from the right coronary sinus. Ventricular fibrillation in these patients is irreversible unless defibrillation can be rapidly performed. We describe a 57‐year‐old male with an anomalous origin of circumflex and the left anterior descending coronary arteries from the right coronary sinus. He developed two episodes of ventricular fibrillation that terminated spontaneously, 10 hours after percutaneous revascularization of the circumflex coronary artery. Computed tomography angiography, in addition to confirming the anomalous origin of the coronary arteries, showed a muscle bridge over the midportion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. This is the first report of spontaneous termination of ventricular fibrillation in a patient with congenital anomaly of the coronary arteries.     

冠状动脉起源异常的检出率与冠状动脉狭窄

目的　评价国人冠状动脉(冠脉)起源异常的冠脉造影检出率,并探讨其与冠脉狭窄之间的关系。方法　回顾性分析2001年1月至2004年6月在我院接受选择性冠脉造影的患者,观察并记录冠脉起源异常的检出频度和类型,以及合并冠脉狭窄的情况。结果　4094例患者中,共检出冠脉起源异常者32例,检出率为0 78%,其中右冠脉异常起源最为多见,占总数的65 6%;合并冠脉狭窄者共11例(占34 3% ), 其中仅5例(占15 6% )累及起源异常的冠脉,且无1例冠脉狭窄单独累及起源异常的冠脉。结论　国人冠脉起源异常的检出率与国外文献报道结果相似,其中以右冠脉起源异常最为多见,冠脉起源异常与冠脉狭窄不具有相关性。     

Common origin of the right and left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva detected by transthoracic echocardiography--case report

Common origin of the right and left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva detected by transthoracic. A case of a 69-year old female with a long-lasting history of angina, is presented. During hospitalisation due to angina aggravation, transthoracic echocardiography was performed and revealed anomalous coronary arteries. The finding of a common origin of the right and left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva was confirmed by coronary angiography.     

老年人冠状动脉起源异常研究

目的 分析老年人冠状动脉起源异常的类型及检出率,总结其冠状动脉分布的优势情况,并探讨冠状动脉起源异常与冠状动脉粥样硬化的关系.方法 回顾性分析北京大学第一医院接受冠状动脉造影检查的老年患者资料,记录冠状动脉起源异常的检出频度和类型,及发生冠状动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的情况.结果 冠状动脉造影总数2031例,检出冠状动脉起源异常46例(2.3%).右冠状动脉起源异常26例(56.5%),右冠状动脉起源异常多于左冠状动脉(19例,41.3%).其中以右冠状动脉起源于左冠状动脉窦为最常见类型,占总异常的28.3%(13例).并存冠状动脉粥样硬化性狭窄者37例(80.4%),其中17例(37.0%)累及起源异常的冠状动脉.结论 我国老年人冠状动脉起源异常多见于右冠状动脉,其中具有潜在临床危险的右冠状动脉起源于左冠状动脉窦为最常见类型.冠状动脉起源异常与冠状动脉粥样硬化存在相关性.

Abstract：

Objective To estimate the patterns and frequency of anomalous coronary origin with angiography in the Chinese elderly population and evaluate the correlation between anomalous coronary origin and development of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the basis of angiographic data among elderly patients who underwent coronary arteriography in Beijing University First Hospital. Those with anomalous origin of coronary arteries were selected for further assessment and significant stenosis in coronary arteries was recorded.Results Among 2031 patients, 46 patients were found to have anomalous origin of coronary artery,with an incidence rate of 2.3%. Right coronary artery was the most common anomalous vessel, being involved in 26 patients (56.5%). The anomalous origin was more frequent in right coronary artery than in left coronary artery (41.3%). The most common anomaly was right coronary artery arising from left coronary sinus in 13 patients (28.3%). Significant atherosclerotic lesions in the anomalous arteries were seen in 37 patients (80.4%). Conclusions In Chinese elderly population, the anomalous origin of coronary artery is more frequent in right coronary artery, the most common anomaly resides in right coronary artery arising from left coronary sinus. The anomalous coronary artery increases risk for development of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis.     

PCI in a case of dual (type IV) LAD with anomalous origin of the LCx from RCA

Dual left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) originating from the left main stem and the right coronary artery (type IV LAD) is a rare congenital anomaly. Its association with an anomalous origin of the left circumflex (LCx) from RCA is even rarer.We describe a patient presenting with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, who was subsequently found to have this coronary anomaly. He underwent staged PCI of the dominant RCA and anomalous LCx successfully through the radial route.We conclude that anomalous coronaries can be safely and successfully treated through the radial route after careful evaluation of origin and course of the anomalous vessels. CT coronary angiography is extremely useful in delineating the vessel course and particularly their relation to great arteries.     

Percutaneous revascularization in a patient with anomalous origin of left main coronary artery

Anomalous origin of the coronary artery from opposite coronary sinus is infrequently observed during coronary angiography. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of anomalous coronary artery is technically difficult and challenging. It requires appropriate selection of guide catheters for adequate stability, coaxial alignment and backup support during the intervention. We hereby report a rare case of anomalous origin of left main coronary artery (LM) from the right coronary sinus, having a retro-aortic course to the left side before its bifurcation into left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex artery. The 59-year-old man had successful PCI of atherosclerotic LAD lesions. A 64-slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) performed at 4 years of follow-up demonstrated patency of coronary stents and also delineated the origin and course of the anomalous LM. The case illustrates the rarity of anomalous LM, and describes technical issues during PCI and the role of MDCT in coronary anomaly imaging.     

Anomalous left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva associated with coronary atheromatosis

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva is an anatomical abnormality that is usually associated with myocardial ischemia and sudden death. Although this abnormality may coexist with obstructive atherosclerotic coronary disease, disease is not usually found in the anomalous course of the artery. When this coronary anomaly and obstructive coronary disease are both present, it is difficult to determine the cause of ischemic symptoms. We report a case in which three different diagnostic techniques were used to find the cause of ischemic symptoms in a patient whose left coronary artery originated anomalously in the right sinus of Valsalva and followed a course between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk and who had obstructive atherosclerotic lesions in the right coronary artery. The techniques were conventional angiography, which was used for the initial diagnosis, multislice computerized tomography, which was used to determine the anomalous course of the artery and its relationship with vascular structures, and exercise echocardiography, which was used to evaluate ischemia in the left coronary artery territory after treatment of the stenoses in the right coronary artery.     

Anomalous origin of all three coronary arteries from right sinus of Valsalva in a patient with angina pectoris

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries is uncommon, and all 3 coronary arteries arising from a single sinus of Valsalva is very rare. The anomaly has been associated with myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in particular when the anomalous left coronary artery courses between the great vessels. Imaging modalities have a complementary role to angiography in the diagnosis. Percutaneous interventions are technically difficult. Surgical options like direct repair of anomalous artery or coronary artery bypass graft can be helpful. We report a case of a patient who presented with chest pain and was found to have all 3 coronary arteries arising from the right sinus of Valsalva.     

Anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery--two case reports.

As shown in many series, congenital coronary artery anomalies are found in 0.6 to 1.5% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Various types of coronary anomalies have been described, many involving the circumflex artery. The second most common anomaly is of the circumflex arising from the right sinus of Valsalva, while origin in the right coronary artery is also frequent. The most common anomaly is absence of the left main coronary artery, the anterior descending and circumflex arteries originating separately in the left coronary sinus. Such anomalies are usually benign, although earlier and more aggressive atherosclerosis is more likely than in normal coronaries and myocardial ischemia can result. Although rare, this can manifest as sudden death. Conventional coronary angiography may be unable to determine the three-dimensional course of the anomalous vessel. The development of multislice computed tomography and its application to cardiac imaging mean that it is now possible to visualize the coronary arteries non-invasively and to obtain more accurate information on their proximal course. We present two cases of congenital anomaly of the circumflex coronary artery diagnosed with the aid of multislice computed tomography.     

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery above the left sinus of valsalva

Various anomalies of coronary arterial origin have been described. These anatomical variations are discovered either by coronary angiography or at autopsy. We are reporting a case of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery above the left sinus of Valsalva. To our knowledge, this anomaly has not been described before. A technique for selectively catheterizing such an aberrant coronary artery is described.     

Clinical, angiographic, and hemodynamic findings in patients with anomalous origin of the coronary arteries.

Clinical and angiographic features of 31 patients with anomalous coronpary artery origin are reviewed. Of 17 aberrant circumflex arteries from the right sinus of Valsalva or artery, each was retro-aortic, six atherosclerotic, and seven irrigated a small area of myocardium. Of seven anomalous right coronary arteries from the left sinus of Valsalva or artery, each was ante-aortic and two atherosclerotic. Aberrant origin of the circumflex or right coronary artery was a benign anomaly. The proximal course of seven aberrant left coronary arteries from the right sinus of Valsalva or right coronary artery was related to clinical events. The anomaly was best demonstrated in the lateral view. In five cases, coronary blood flow during exercise and myocardial metabolism during pacing were assessed. Two had had a previous infarction with nonatherosclerotic arteries. Exercise coronary blood flow was normal in four and low in one patient. Pacing resulted in lactate production in two with atherosclerotic and one without atherosclerotic arteries. We conclude that anomalous left coronpary origin from the right sinus of Valsalva can result in significant myocardial ischemia and infarction.     

Aberrant right coronary artery origin from the left aortic sinus with interarterial course manifesting acute myocardial infarction

A 43-year-old patient was admitted to hospital because of an inferior-posterior myocardial infarction. The admission electrocardiogram was suggestive of a right coronary artery (RCA) culprit lesion. Coronary angiography following successful thrombolysis revealed a normal left system and mild intraluminal disease of the dominant RCA, which arose from the left aortic sinus and travelled an interarterial course; the latter was depicted in a subsequent computed tomographic angiogram. The lack of ST segment elevation in V4R and the absence of right ventricular wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography precluded the proximal ectopic vessel from being the culprit. The patient was managed medically; one year following discharge, he is asymptomatic. In cases of aberrant anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus with interarterial course, the proximal ectopic vessel is intussuscepted within the aortic wall, potentially leading to ischemia. The present article highlights that, although medical treatment in cases of such an aberrant RCA without apparent ischemia-driven sequelae may be valid, the need for interventional treatment could be substantiated following investigation of the anatomofunctional features of the intussuscepted proximal ectopic segment with intravascular ultrasound.     

Ectopic origin of the right coronary artery--case report.

Coronary artery anomalies can occur in isolation or in association with other congenital heart defects. Clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic forms to sudden cardiac death. The authors report a case of anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva, diagnosed with multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography.     

Retroaortic course of the anomalous left main coronary artery: is it a benign anomaly? A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Left coronary artery sharing a common origin with the right coronary artery and taking a retroaortic course is a rare coronary anomaly. It has been considered a benign entity. CASE REPORT: We report a 19-year-old man who presented with chest pain. Cardiac enzymes were elevated suggesting myocardial ischaemia. Coronary angiography revealed single origin of the coronary artery in the right coronary sinus. The left main coronary artery followed a retroaortic course before bifurcating. The anomalous left coronary artery was dissected and reimplanted in the left coronary sinus. The patient made an uneventful recovery. One year later, he is well with no recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery to restore the normal anatomic position of the left coronary ostium is advisable whenever this anomaly is discovered.     

Acute inferior myocardial infarction and coronary spasm in a patient with an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of valsalva

A 56-year-old Japanese woman with an acute inferior myocardial infarction was admitted to hospital. Emergency coronary angiography revealed an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva, but there was no stenosis or thrombus in either the right or left coronary artery. Coronary spasm was provoked at the site of the proximal portion of the anomalous coronary artery, which was located between the aorta and pulmonary trunk. This was thought to be the cause of the myocardial infarction.