Surgical therapy of an aberrant origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the right sinus of valsalva: a case report

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery from the incorrect coronary sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital cardiac defect that is associated with an increased risk of sudden death. In most of these defects, the anomalous coronary artery takes an intramural course between the great arteries and leaves the aortic wall from the appropriate coronary sinus of Valsalva. Many times this anomalous artery shares a common orifice with the other coronary artery. We report on a previously healthy 15-year-old boy who presented with signs of an anterolateral myocardial infarction after physical activity (soccer game). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an aberrant origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva. Repair was accomplished by unroofing the intramural segment. Because the intramural segment was below the commissure, detachment of the intercoronary commissure was not necessary. To conclude, transthoracic echocardiography can accurately depict this rare anomaly, and in symptomatic patients surgical therapy is indicated.     

Asymptomatic pseudo-aneurysm of the aortic arch in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery. A complication of Kommerell's diverticulum?

Kommerell's diverticulum is an aortic arch deformity associated with an aberrant subclavian artery. Symptoms related to compression of adjacent structures, dilatation of the aortic diverticulum or accelerated atherosclerosis leading to increased risks of dissection and rupture represent the indications for surgical treatment. Several surgical strategies have been used for the management of this congenital abnormality. We present the case of a 56-year-old male with a pseudo-aneurysm of a left aortic arch adjacent to a Kommerell's diverticulum at the orifice of a left subclavian artery. The patient also presented an aberrant right subclavian artery originating from the posterior wall of the ecstatic take-off of the left subclavian artery. Our surgical strategy was limited to the resection of the aneurysm without any manipulation of the aortic diverticulum and aberrant right subclavian artery, as the wall of both aorta adjacent to the saccular aneurysm and left subclavian artery was normal, the Kommerell's diverticulum was small and the patient was asymptomatic.     

Surgical repair of aortico-left ventricular tunnel arising from the left aortic sinus

Aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital cardiac defect, which bypasses the aortic valve via the paravalvar connection from the left ventricle to the aorta. In most of the cases, the tunnel arises from the right aortic sinus. We herein report a case of aortico-left ventricular tunnel, of which the aortic orifice was arising from the left aortic sinus, requiring special attention for avoiding left coronary artery injury at the time of surgical repair.     

Repair of Aorto‐Left Ventricular Tunnel Arising from the Left Sinus of Valsalva

Abstract Aortico‐left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare congenital cardiac defect that bypasses the aortic valve via a para‐valvular connection from the left ventricle to the aorta. In most cases, the tunnel arises from the right aortic sinus. In this case report, we are presenting a case of ALVT, of which the aortic orifice arose from the left aortic sinus, requiring special attention to avoid the left coronary artery injury at the time of surgical repair . (J Card Surg 2010;25:345‐346)     

A successful arterial switch operation for the transportation of the great arteries with posterior aorta--with special reference to its anatomical features and possibility of the indication of the Jatene procedure

A five months old infant with the transposition of the great arteries with posterior aorta undergoing arterial switch operation is reported. A pre-operative diagnosis of the transposition of the great arteries with posterior aorta, subarterial ventricular septal defect, anterior pulmonary artery, bilateral conus and fibrous continuity between aortic and mitral valve was made. This diagnosis was confirmed by the open heart surgery. The ventricular septal defect was subaortic from the transected aortic aspect, and the infundibular and trabecular septum was aligned. For these reasons, this subarterial ventricular septal defect was easily closed transaortically. The right coronary artery arose from the left sinus and the left coronary artery from the posterior sinus, so the coronary arterial pattern of this patient was a Shaher type 9. And in addition, another small ostium located in the left sinus gave rise to an additional small branch. Translocation of the coronary arteries was performed. The new pulmonary trunk was reconstructed to the right pulmonary artery so as not to compress the coronary artery and distort the great arteries. This patient was restudied three months after the repair. The right to left ventricular systolic pressure ratio was 0.42 and no pressure gradient was present between the right ventricle and the right pulmonary artery. But a moderate aortic regurgitation was detected. This was caused by deformity of the aortic sinus of valsalva. Only 28 patients with the transposition of the great arteries with posterior aorta were reported in the literature, but there were no reports on the successful surgical treatment for its rare anomaly, to our knowledge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Extended unroofing procedure for creation of a new ostium for anomalous left coronary artery.

A modified procedure to create an alternative ostium for the left coronary artery was successfully carried out in a patient having anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right coronary sinus of the aorta. The proximal portion of the artery had an intramural course. The newly constructed orifice was widely patent and functioning well 44 months later, without episodes of myocardial ischemia or aortic regurgitation.     

Senning operation for very low birth weight infant with transposition of the great arteries: one of the smallest cases in the world

We report a case of a Senning operation for very low birth weight infant weighing 1,168 g with transposition of the great arteries. The patient underwent a Senning operation on 62 days, 1,700 g after the first palliation. In this case, the orifice of the left anterior descending artery was located in sinus 1 (left posterior facing sinus), but we could not find orifices of both right coronary artery and left circumflex artery before the Senning operation. The surgical procedure of the Senning operation is typical one, but we used flesh autopericardial patch to cover the roof of the new pulmonary vein chamber to get an enough size. The patient recovered with no cardiac events after the repair.     

Isolated unruptured aneurysm of the left coronary sinus of Valsalva

An isolated unruptured aneurysm of the left coronary sinus of Valsalva was detected incidentally in a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve in whom the left circumflex coronary artery arose from the right coronary artery. With the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass, the mouth of the aneurysm was closed by suturing the reflected posterior cusp of the aortic valve to the aortic root. A Starr-Edwards prosthetic aortic valve was inserted, and an aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass graft maintained good blood flow down the left anterior descending coronary artery. Previous reports of this rare condition and its treatment are discussed.     

Anomalous right subclavian artery with ascending aortic aneurysm: a case report

We report a rare case of the ascending aortic aneurysm with an anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery. The right subclavian artery branched from the aorta as the fourth major vessel and ran behind the esophagus. Moreover, the left and right coronary arteries arose ectopically from the posterior and the left aortic sinus, respectively.     

Atherosclerosis in type IV dual left anterior descending artery and anomalous aortic origin of the left circumflex artery in association with rheumatic valve disease: a case report

Double left anterior descending coronary artery arising from the left and right coronary arteries is a very rare congenital coronary artery anomaly. In this case, there was also a circumflex artery arising from the right sinus Valsalva and in association with severe rheumatic valve disease. Subsequently, the patient underwent mechanical aortic valve replacement with a 21-mm bileaflet mechanical aortic valve and coronary artery bypass grafting. We performed coronary artery bypass grafting of 3 vessels, including the left internal mammary artery to the large diagonal branch and the saphenous vein graft to the circumflex artery and the right coronary artery, under cardiopulmonary bypass. In this report, we describe an unusual case of this combination in association with both atherosclerosis and rheumatic aortic and mitral valve disease.     

Posterior Root Enlargement for Aortic Valve Replacement Associated with Unexpected Anomalous Right Coronary Artery

Abstract   Anomalous right coronary artery (ARCA) generally follows a course between the aorta and pulmonary artery. When ARCA follows a course posterolateral to the aortic root behind the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva, the vessel can be at risk of injury during posterior aortic root enlargement. We present the case of a 21-year-old man with congenital aortic stenosis and small aortic root, who had an intraoperative diagnosis of ARCA. After posterior root enlargement through the noncoronary sinus, ARCA was mobilized from the aortic root and reimplanted into the right coronary sinus. Postoperative follow-up of the patient was uneventful. (J Card Surg 2010;25:92-95)     

Aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva producing obstruction of the left main coronary artery and aortic regurgitation

A 50-year-old male was admitted with dyspnea on exertion and palpitation. On physical examination, a grade 2/6 aortic regurgitant murmur was heard at the left sternal border. A chest roentogenogram showed an oval shadow on the left cardiac border. Digital subtraction angiogram, aortogram and coronary arteriogram revealed an unruptured-large aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva, which compressed the left main coronary artery and produced aortic regurgitation. Surgical correction consisted of obliteration of the orifice of the aneursym with woven Dacron graft patch, aortic valve replacement using SJM23A, and a saphenous vein bypass from the ascending aorta to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Postoperative studies showed complete obliteration of the orifice of the aneurysm, a patent aorto-coronary bypass graft and no perivalvular leakage. This aneurysm was considered congenital in origin, because of no inflammatory and infectious evidence, negative serologic test for syphilis and no aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending aorta.     

Aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva causing aortic, mitral regurgitation and myocardial ischemia.

An aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva producing aortic and mitral regurgitation with myocardial ischemia was treated successfully by reconstructing the left coronary sinus while preserving the aortic cusp combined with coronary artery bypass grafting. Aortic and mitral regurgitation occurred due to distortion of the left aortic cusp by a huge aneurysm that also compressed and obstructed the main trunk of the left coronary artery. The postoperative course was uneventful and follow-up showed aortic and mitral regurgitation to be absent and the coronary graft to be patent. Aortic valve-sparing surgery thus proved to be an appropriate procedure for this case.     

A giant unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva together with ectasia of the left coronary artery

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is defined as a dilatation of the aortic sinuses, between the aortic valve annulus and the sinotubular junction. They are rare and most frequently involve the right coronary sinus. We report a case of an unruptured giant sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in a patient associated with ectasia of the left main stem and left anterior descending coronary artery. The patient was successfully treated with aortic root replacement using a biologic conduit.     

Outcome of unroofing procedure for repair of anomalous aortic origin of left or right coronary artery

BACKGROUND: Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) from an incorrect sinus of Valsalva is a relatively rare congenital defect and is associated with sudden death. Several surgical techniques have been described to address this defect, but functional outcome has never been addressed. In this report we evaluate a consecutive series of patients treated with unroofing techniques using transthoracic echocardiography, graded exercise testing, and stress echocardiography to assess functional repair. METHODS: Nine consecutive patients (range 7 to 65 years) underwent surgical repair of AAOCA from 1995 to 2001. In all patients the intramural segment was at or below the level of the commissure. All patients underwent a modified unroofing procedure to move the coronary artery orifice to the appropriate sinus. In 2 patients, a new orifice was created without significant unroofing and disruption of the commissure. Patients were evaluated prospectively with exercise electrocardiography testing and by resting and stress echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 9 patients, 8 presented with symptoms suggestive of ischemia (chest pain, dyspnea on exertion, or syncope). Six patients had anomalous left main coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva, and 3 patients had anomalous right coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva. Transthoracic echocardiography and graded exercise testing was performed in all 9 patients (mean 29 months, range 4 to 85 months) after repair. Of the 9 patients, 8 also underwent stress echocardiography. In 8 of 9 patients the newly created coronary artery ostium was visualized by either two-dimensional echocardiography or color flow Doppler. All patients were symptom free at the time of follow-up. Exercise stress echocardiography was negative in all patients. Of the 8 patients, 7 had normal left ventricular shortening. No patients had regional wall motion abnormalities suggestive of ischemia. All patients were intervention free except 1 patient who developed severe aortic insufficiency and underwent a subsequent Ross procedure 44 months after his initial procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from an incorrect sinus of Valsalva is known to be associated with increased risk of sudden death. Surgical correction can be carried out with minimal risk and good anatomic and functional results. Manipulation of the commissure can be avoided by creation of a neo-ostia without extensive unroofing of the intramural segment or manipulation of the intercoronary commissure. This may avoid aortic valve malfunction.     

Catastrophic myocardial ischemia resulting from a left coronary artery anomaly with an origin in the right sinus of Valsalva

A congenital left coronary artery anomaly originating from the right aortic sinus is a rare congenital defect associated with the risk of sudden death in young individuals. In most cases, the proximal portion of the anomalous left coronary artery exists between the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk, and it has an intramural aortic course; this could critically impair the left coronary flow owing to compression of the anomalous left main trunk between the great vessels during exercise. Herein, we report a 14-year-old boy who experienced cardiac collapse due to an acute myocardial infarction after long-distance running. After resuscitation using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support, computed tomography and coronary angiography revealed an anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery in the right sinus of Valsalva and a proximal course between the aorta and pulmonary trunk. The patient was successfully treated using an unroofing procedure of the intramural left coronary artery.     

Repair of the aortico-left ventricular tunnel originating from the right aortic sinus with severe aortic valve regurgitation.

A 31-year-old adult with an aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) arising from the right aortic sinus is reported. Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a ruptured sinus of Valsalva with severe aortic valve regurgitation which originated from the right coronary sinus entering the outlet portion of the left ventricular outflow tract. Operation revealed the aortic entrance of the tunnel was above the right coronary sinus. Direct closure of the orifice of the tunnel using three stitches of 4-0 polypropylene with felt and aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed. At 10-month follow-up the patient is asymptomatic and receiving no oral medications except anticoagulants. We believe this to be the oldest case of ALVT managed with AVR.     

Separate Origin of the Main Components of the Left Coronary Artery in Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

This study describes a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly in the Syrian hamster; namely, the separate origin of the obtuse marginal and left circumflex arteries which are the main components of the left coronary artery. The hearts of nine affected animals were examined by means of a corrosion‐cast technique and histology. The hamsters belonged to a laboratory inbred family with a high incidence of coronary artery anomalies and bicuspid aortic valve. The aortic valve was tricuspid in three hamsters and bicuspid in the other six hamsters. In all cases, the right coronary artery was normal, whereas the left coronary artery main trunk was absent. The present anomalous coronary artery patterns could be classified into two main entities: (i) ectopic origin of the obtuse marginal artery from the right aortic sinus or from the right coronary artery, with the left circumflex artery arising from the left side of the aortic valve; and (ii) ectopic origin of both the obtuse marginal artery from the right aortic sinus or from the right coronary artery and left circumflex artery from the dorsal aortic sinus. In all cases, the obtuse marginal artery coursed to the right side of the heart through the ventral wall of the right ventricular outflow tract. When the left circumflex artery arose from the dorsal aortic sinus, it formed an acute angle with the aortic wall. This report seems to be the first to describe the separate origin of the main components of the left coronary artery in a non‐human mammalian species. In man, the congenital coronary artery and aortic valve defects reported herein may entail the risk of clinical complications. However, none of the affected hamsters showed signs of disease.     

Anatomic variation of the aortic coronary openings (apropos of 80 dissections)]

A series of 80 heart dissections, compared with a survey of the literature shows that:--both coronary ostia are usually in the right anterior and in the left posterior position, in the commissural plane, at the level of the corresponding sinus of Valsalva (the left one being often superior in size to the right one).--anatomic variations of the coronary ostia (especially variations of the left coronary ostium) may be summed up into 3 patterns: Variations in number : sometimes, there is only one aortic coronary ostium, usually owing to a left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery; a common aortic ostium for a single coronary artery is not frequent. Multiple ostia are the most common variations : an accessory artery may arise from a separate ostium (often the "third coronary artery" from the right aortic sinus; sometimes the anterior descending and the circumflex arteries may originate from separated orifices). Variations in origin remain few, affecting most often the left ostium. Variations in size reflect the corresponding coronary plexus preponderance.