Anomalous left anterior descending, absent circumflex and unusual dominant course of right coronary artery: a case report--R1

A 40-years-old female presented with atypical chest pain. Selective coronary angiography revealed separate osteal origin of anomalous left anterior descending (LAD) and normal origin of right coronary artery (RCA) from right anterior coronary sinus. LAD had a septal course. Left circumflex (LCx) was absent. RCA, a dominant vessel, continued beyond the crux, along the entire length of atrioventricular groove as circumflex artery. There was no myocardial ischemia on stress thallium. As per our knowledge, this type of combination of anatomical variation of coronary circulation has not been described in the literature.     

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left anterior descending coronary artery

This is the first presentation of anomalous origin of right coronary artery (RCA) from mid-left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. A 77-year-old male was catheterized because of recent onset of fatigue during exertion. The LAD demonstrated 50–60% narrowing just proximal to the anomalous origin of the RCA. The patient was maintained on oral medication. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 44:328–329, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anomalous right coronary artery originating from the left anterior descending artery

An anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) arising from the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is very rare, and has previously been considered a variant of single coronary artery. This is the first report of an anomalous RCA arising from the LAD with a coexisting proximal RCA. The anomaly was discovered incidentally during cardiac catheterization for severe mitral regurgitation. The incidence, anatomy and clinical associations of anomalous coronary arteries are reviewed here.     

Anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery from the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending artery from the right coronary sinus

We present the case of a 67-year-old female who was admitted to our institution because of anginal chest pain. Selective coronary angiography revealed separate ostial origins of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the right coronary artery (RCA) from the right coronary sinus (RCS). The left circumflex (LCx) coronary artery arose from the proximal RCA. The left anterior descending had an anterior free wall and the LCx had a retroaortic course. To our knowledge, this type of combination of anatomical variation of coronary circulation has not been described in the literature.     

A rare coronary anatomy comprising dual (Type IV) left anterior descending arteries and an anomalous left circumflex artery from the right coronary artery

We present the case of a rare coronary anomaly in a 64-year-old male who presented with exertional angina. The right coronary artery (RCA) was dominant, giving origin proximally to an anomalous left circumflex (LCX) artery and a left anterior descending (LAD) artery which supplied the conventional mid and distal LAD territory. The left main artery (LM) arose from the left coronary sinus and branched into a large first septal and an intermediate artery. There was associated non-critical atherosclerotic disease. We report this because of the rare division of the LAD area of supply by arteries from both coronary sinuses (dual LAD) with an anomalous LCX also arising from the proximal RCA. The clinical implications are discussed.     

Myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery and right coronary artery in a patient with mitral valve stenosis

Myocardial bridging is defined as the intramural course of a major epicardial coronary artery, and is mostly confined to the left ventricle and the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Although it is considered to be a benign anomaly, it can lead to such complications as acute myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, syncope, atrioventricular block and sudden cardiac death. Isolated myocardial bridging of the right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex artery have been reported in the literature In our case, myocardial bridging was observed in both the LAD and the RCA in a patient with mitral valve stenosis.     

A case of type IV dual left anterior descending artery associated with anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis

Double origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) from the left and right coronary arteries (type IV dual LAD) is a rare coronary anomaly. We report an unusual case of type IV dual LAD associated with anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery from the right coronary artery in a patient with a recent history of myocardial infarction. The first diagonal branch originating from the short LAD demonstrated 70-80% stenosis and the posterior descending artery was totally occluded. We believe that this unusual variance of the coronary arteries in association with atherosclerosis has not been previously reported.     

Single coronary artery Left (SCA L)-Right coronary artery arising from mid-left anterior descending coronary artery: New variant of Lipton classification (SCA L-II) diagnosed by computed tomographic angiography

Isolated single coronary artery (SCA) is a rare anomaly. Current classification of left and right is further classified based on the course of the anomalous vessel. We report two SCA L cases where right coronary artery (RCA) arose from mid-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Our observation is a variation from the current Lipton classification SCA L Type II where RCA arose from left coronary artery before the LAD, in our cases the RCA arose from mid LAD after the first septal perforator. We believe that this variant should be described as SCA L Type II variant 2 (V2) while the original Lipton classification should be described as SCA L Type II variant 1 (V1).     

Acute myocardial infarction showing total occlusion of right coronary artery and thrombus formation of left anterior descending artery

A 33-year-old Japanese man had an attack of chest pain associated with ST-segment elevation in the inferolateral leads on his electrocardiogram. Emergency coronary angiography showed total obstruction in the mid right coronary artery (RCA) and a movable thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). We performed emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for the RCA lesion. The operation was successful and we then conducted intracoronary thrombolysis (ICT) with tisokinase 6,400,000 IU for the LAD thrombus. Its size was reduced by ICT. He had an uneventful hospital course. After 1 month, repeat coronary angiography showed no significant stenosis in the RCA nor thrombus in the LAD. A coronary spasm provocation test was performed using acetylcholine. Coronary spasm in the LAD was induced by an intracoronary injection of 100 microg acetylcholine. In this case, we observed a unique condition suggesting simultaneous double coronary artery occlusion.     

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the proximal left anterior descending artery and a single coronary artery anomaly: Three case reports

The anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) as a branch of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is a very rare variation of single coronary artery. We have reported three cases in the last 10 years. Among 15,000 coronary angiograms, at least 40 cases have been described previously in the literature. The vast majority of previous reports have described a single anomalous vessel with its origin after the first septal perforator of the LAD. Two of our patients presented with acute coronary syndrome and were found to have three vessel disease and left main. They underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and third case presented with tachycardia had only mild coronary artery disease (CAD) and was treated medically.     

Right coronary artery emerging as a septal branch from the left anterior descending artery

Coronary artery anomalies are detected on approximately 1.3% of coronary angiograms. Single coronary artery anomaly (SCA) is defined as the coronary artery arising from a single coronary ostium, nourishing the entire heart. SCA anomalies are usually benign; however, serious complications such as sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction resulting from these anomalies are also reported in the literature. We report the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) as a continuum of the septal branch from the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which is a very rare variation of a single coronary artery.     

Isolated single coronary artery with dual right coronary artery distribution

We present the case of a 76-year-old patient in whom coronary angiography, performed due to non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, revealed an isolated single coronary (SCA) artery with dual right coronary artery (RCA) distribution. One RCA arose from the mid segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and followed a prepulmonic course to the right, while the other RCA arose as the terminal extension of the left circumflex artery beyond the crux cordis. This is the second reported case of the combination of these two variants of SCA and the first such case in which the LAD-derived RCA originated as a single branch. Furthermore, this is the first report presenting a sinus node artery with origin from an ectopic LAD-connected RCA. The clinical implications of this rare coronary artery pattern are discussed.     

Isolated single coronary artery with dual right coronary artery distribution. A rare anatomical variation

We present the case of a 76-year-old patient in whom coronary angiography, performed due to non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, revealed an isolated single coronary (SCA) artery with dual right coronary artery (RCA) distribution. One RCA arose from the mid segment of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and followed a prepulmonic course to the right, while the other RCA arose as the terminal extension of the left circumflex artery beyond the crux cordis. This is the second reported case of the combination of these two variants of SCA and the first such case in which the LAD-derived RCA originated as a single branch. Furthermore, this is the first report presenting a sinus node artery with origin from an ectopic LAD-connected RCA. The clinical implications of this rare coronary artery pattern are discussed.     

Anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the mid-left anterior descending artery

We report a case of a right coronary artery (RCA) originating from the mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD) coursing around and in front of the pulmonary artery. The anomaly was discovered incidentally during cardiac catheterization. It is only the second case of such an anomaly ever described.     

冠状动脉管径与分叉角度的CT冠状动脉成像研究

目的 在冠状动脉CT图像上分析测量成人血管直径与血管分叉的生体信息,进一步加深对冠状动脉应用解剖的认识.方法 选择64排螺旋CT冠状动脉扫描图像质量优秀、血管完全正常的526例成人为观察对象,测量左主干及前降支、回旋支、右冠状动脉自开口至直径2 mm处每间隔1 cm处的管腔直径,计算管腔渐变率;测量大的对角支、钝缘支、锐缘支、后降支、左室后支(直径大于2 mm)开口直径,与同平面交角的主支血管直径和其上方1 cm处主干血管的直径以及分叉的角度.结果 前降支管径从开口的平均3.92 mm经过13 cm后移行为2.10 mm,呈逐渐变细的趋势,所有管腔的平均变化率为7.7％(男性7.0％,女性8.4％),管腔在距开口3 ～5 cm处变化率最大,达8.0％～10.0％;回旋支管径从开口平均的3.57 mm经过13 cm后移行为2.10 mm,呈逐渐变细的趋势,所有管腔的平均变化率为9.7％(男性9.6％,女性9.7％),开口至近端3 cm处管径变化率约3.0％,其后各点变化在8.3％～10.7％;右冠状动脉管径从开口平均的3.97 mm经过18 cm后移行为2.15 mm,呈逐渐变细的趋势,所有管腔的平均变化率为5.1％(男性4.9％,女性5.3％),开口至10 cm处管径变化率＜4.0％,其后变化率加大,在6.1％～15.2％之间.前降支与对角支、回旋支与钝缘支、右冠状动脉与后降支(左室后支)、右冠状动脉与锐缘支的夹角分别约为50°、55°、66°和76°.结论 64排螺旋CT冠状动脉成像可在生体上测量冠状动脉,获取三支主干血管的渐变率与最大渐变部位以及冠状动脉血管分叉的数据,进一步加深对冠状动脉应用解剖的认识.     

A single coronary artery from the right sinus of valsalva associated with atherosclerosis

Anomalous origin of the main coronary arteries from the aorta is rare. We report a case with a single coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva associated with atherosclerosis.The patient was treated with a coronary artery bypass procedure: left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD), right internal mammary artery (RIMA) to the right coronary artery (RCA).The postoperative course was uneventful.     

Dual left anterior descending coronary artery: Angiographic description of important variants and surgical implications

Twenty-three cases of an anatomic variant of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) are described. This variant is termed “dual LAD” and consists of two branches which supply the usual distribution of the LAD. One branch (short LAD) terminates in the proximal aspect of the anterior interventricular sulcus (AIVS). A second, longer branch has a variable course outside the AIVS and returns to the AIVS distally. The long LAD arose from the LAD proper in 21 cases and from the RCA in two cases. The initial course of the long LAD was on the epicardial surface of the left ventricle (17 cases), right ventricle (three cases), or within the interventricular septum (three cases). Recognition of these variants is important for correct surgical identification of the short and long LADs.     

Left anterior descending artery length in left and right coronary artery dominance

BACKGROUND: Coronary stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is respected by cardiologists because of its negative influence on morbidity and mortality. An important anatomical consideration is the length of the LAD. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between length of LAD and coronary dominance. DESIGN: Retrospective comparison of 100 consecutive angiograms with left coronary dominance with 100 consecutive angiograms with right coronary dominance. The relationship between the length of the LAD and coronary dominance was analyzed. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 100 consecutive angiograms with left coronary dominance (the posterior descending artery being supplied by the circumflex artery) with 100 consecutive angiograms with right coronary dominance (the posterior descending artery being supplied by the right coronary artery). LADs were categorized into three types: type A, LAD terminating before the cardiac apex; type B, LAD reaching the apex but not supplying the inferoapical segment of the left ventricle; and type C, LAD wrapping around the apex and supplying the inferoapical segment. LAD typing was also analyzed in relation to gender. RESULTS: It was found that the LAD wrapped around the apex in 87% of cases of left coronary dominance but only in 47% of patients with right coronary dominance, and that the long LADs were more frequently seen in women than in men, irrespective of coronary dominance. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the LAD in left coronary dominance is usually long and wraps around the apex, and believe that angiographic interventions in such cases have important clinical significance.     

Single right coronary artery continuing as left circumflex artery and hypoplastic left anterior descending artery: a rare coronary anomaly

The occurrence of a single coronary artery (SCA) is rare in the absence of other associated anomalies of the heart and is often detected incidentally during coronary angiography. This anomaly is usually benign and various types of SCA have been described. We report a rare type of SCA originating from the right sinus of Valsalva, with the left circumflex artery (LCX) continuing from right coronary artery (RCA) and hypoplastic left anterior descending artery (LAD), which was incidentally found in a 63-year-old female presenting as unstable angina.     

Transthoracic echocardiography in the detection of chronic total coronary artery occlusion

Aims: The aim of our study was to detect chronic total occlusion ofthe left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), circumflexcoronary artery (Cx), and right coronary artery (RCA) usingtransthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 110 consecutive patientswho underwent coronary angiography for investigation of angina. Methods and results: Coronary blood flow direction was assessed in the epicardialcollaterals [distal LAD (dLAD), obtuse marginal branches andright posterior descending artery (PDA)] and intramyocardialcollaterals [LAD septal branch (SB LAD) and RCA septal branch(SB RCA)]. The sensitivity and specificity of retrograde flowfor identification of the occluded LAD by TTE in the dLAD onlywere 78 and 96%, respectively, and those in both dLAD and SBLAD were 89 and 96%, respectively. The retrograde SB LAD flowdetects proximal LAD occlusion with 88% sensitivity and 75%specificity. The sensitivity and specificity of retrograde flowfor identification of the occluded RCA by TTE in the PDA onlywere 79 and 97%, respectively, and those in both PDA and SBRCA were 89 and 97%, respectively. The retrograde SB RCA flowdoes not allow us to differentiate between proximal and non-proximalRCA occlusion. Transthoracic echocardiography is not a methodfor diagnosing Cx occlusions as the success in visualizing theCx epicardial collaterals was achieved in 31% of cases only. Conclusion: TTE is a sensitive and highly specific non-invasive method fordiagnosis of LAD and RCA occlusions, based on the detectionof the coronary blood flow direction in the epicardial and intramyocardialcollaterals.