Left main coronary artery atresia diagnosed by multidetector computed tomography

Left main coronary artery atresia is an extremely rare disease. Differential diagnosis of left main coronary artery atresia from atherosclerotic occlusion of left main coronary artery is difficult even if performing invasive coronary angiography. We present a case of a 48-year-old male with left main coronary artery atresia. Echocardiography showed left ventricular dysfunction. Invasive coronary angiography showed absence of left main coronary artery. A multidetector computed tomography showed a string-like structure at the site of left main coronary artery. A diagnosis of left main coronary artery atresia was made, and he underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. At the operation, a thin and not-sclerotic left main coronary artery was observed. Echocardiography, performed after the surgery, showed normalization of the left ventricular systolic function. Multidetector computed tomography might be a useful method to diagnose left main coronary artery atresia.     

Origin and length of left main coronary artery: Its relation to height,weight, sex,age, pattern of coronary distribution,and presence or absence of coronary artery disease

The distance from the base of the left coronary sinus to the origin of the left main coronary artery was measured in 54 patients. The length of the left main coronary artery and the pattern of arterial dominance were determined in the last 37 patients. These variables were correlated with height, weight, age, sex, and presence or absence of coronary artery disease. Average distance from the base of the left coronary sinus to the origin of the left main coronary artery was 19.4 ± 2.7 mm. Average length of the left main coronary artery was 9.7 ± 4.3 mm. There was a large inherent variability between distance from the base of left coronary sinus to the origin of the left main coronary artery and height of the subjects. Other variables did not show positive correlation. Similar large variability was noticed between length of the left main coronary artery and height of the subjects. Thus, from these observations it was not possible to predict the distance from the base of the left coronary sinus to the origin of the left main coronary artery or the length of the left main coronary artery using height or any other variable. The importance of these findings in relation to coronary angiography is discussed.     

Left main coronary arterial patency assessed with cross-sectional echocardiography

To assess the ability to visualize the left main coronary artery with cross-sectional echocardiography, 123 patients scheduled to undergo coronary arteriography were studied prospectively. The left main coronary artery was visualized with a phased array sector scanner. Coronary arteriography revealed a normal left main coronary artery in 108 of the 123 patients and more than 50 percent stenosis of this vessel in 15 patients. The left main coronary artery was adequately visualized with crosssectional echocardiography in 62 (57 percent) of the 108 patients with an arteriographically normal artery and in 9 (80 percent) of 15 patients with more than 50 percent stenosis of this vessel. Cross-sectional echocardiography indicated a normal left main coronary artery In 59 of the 108 patients with a normal left main vessel on coronary arteriography. In three patients thought to have greater than 50 percent stenosis of the distal left main coronary artery on cross-sectional echocardiography, coronary arteriography revealed significant stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and a normal left main coronary artery. In all nine patients with more than 50 percent stenosis of the left main coronary artery on coronary arteriography and adequate visualization of this vessel on cross-sectional echocardiography, the latter technique revealed narrowing of the lumen of this vessel. It is concluded that: (1) When the left main coronary artery is adequately visualized with crosssectional echocardiography, the presence or absence of more than 50 percent stenosis of this vessel can be assessed. (2) Stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery may mimic a distal left main coronary arterial stenosis. (3) Studies on larger numbers of subjects with left main coronary artery disease will help to delineate further the role of cross-sectional echocardiography in evaluating a patient with suspected disease of this artery.     

Length of main left coronary artery in relation to atherosclerosis of its branches. A coronary arteriographic study.

The relation between the length of the main left coronary artery and the presence of atherosclerosis in its branches or the presence of complete left bundle-branch block was studied by selective coronary arteriography in 43 persons. The length of the main left coronary artery was found to be significantly shorter in patients with coronary atherosclerosis than in subjects without angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease. In patients with electrocardiographic evidence of complete left bundle-branch block, the length of the left main coronary artery was significantly shorter than that in both previous groups. In view of these findings, it is suggested that a short main left coronary artery should be considered as a congenital factor predisposing to the development of coronary artery disease. The possible mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis of the left coronary arterial branches in the presence of a short main trunk are discussed.     

Bifurcating aneurysm of the left main coronary artery involving left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries--a case report.

Coronary artery aneurysm is a rare coronary abnormality, usually diagnosed incidentally by coronary angiography. Major causes of coronary aneurysms include coronary ectasia, Kawasaki disease, and atherosclerosis. Most of the discrete coronary aneurysms are of atherosclerotic origin. The incidence of atherosclerotic coronary aneurysms is about 0.2%, and the left main coronary artery is the least frequently involved artery. Only a few cases of left main coronary artery aneurysm have been reported in the literature, and a left main coronary artery aneurysm involving the proximal segments of the left anterior descending and the left circumflex arteries has not been reported previously. The authors describe this finding in a man who presented with worsening exertional angina pectoris. Coronary angiography demonstrated an aneurysm of the distal left main coronary artery extending into the proximal segments of the left anterior descending and the left circumflex arteries. In addition, a significant flow-limiting atherosclerotic lesion was present in the proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery distal to the aneurysm.     

Length of main left coronary artery in relation to atherosclerosis of its branches. A coronary arteriographic study.

The relation between the length of the main left coronary artery and the presence of atherosclerosis in its branches or the presence of complete left bundle-branch block was studied by selective coronary arteriography in 43 persons. The length of the main left coronary artery was found to be significantly shorter in patients with coronary atherosclerosis than in subjects without angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease. In patients with electrocardiographic evidence of complete left bundle-branch block, the length of the left main coronary artery was significantly shorter than that in both previous groups. In view of these findings, it is suggested that a short main left coronary artery should be considered as a congenital factor predisposing to the development of coronary artery disease. The possible mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis of the left coronary arterial branches in the presence of a short main trunk are discussed.     

Onset and progression of fatal coronary dissection during angiography

Coronary angiography was performed in a 43-year-old man admitted to hospital for chest pain. The first frames after the injection of contrast medium showed plaque in the left main coronary artery and subtotal stenosis of the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery. Dissection of the left main coronary artery appeared, with intimal flaps at the proximal segment of the main trunk and the origin of the left anterior descending artery. Dissection rapidly progressed into the circumflex artery and left anterior descending coronary artery. Although two stents were deployed in the left main coronary artery, the patient died of ventricular fibrillation.     

Ectopic and atretic ostium of left main coronary artery: from interleaflet triangle between left and noncoronary cusps

Left main coronary artery atresia is an extremely rare coronary anomaly in which there is no left coronary ostium and the left main trunk ends blindly. Ectopic origin of the left coronary artery from the left ventricle is an even rarer condition. Herein, we describe the case of a 37-year-old woman whose left main coronary artery atresia was not corrected during previous surgical correction of patent ductus arteriosus and aortic insufficiency. Five years after that first operation, the patient developed severe angina and heart failure. She underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with greater saphenous vein directly to the left main coronary artery trunk, along with associated procedures. The operative findings revealed an ectopic and atretic ostium of the left main coronary artery from the interleaflet triangle between the left and noncoronary cusps, which we believe is a specific congenital coronary anomaly.     

Ostial lesions of left main and right coronary arteries: demographic and angiographic features

In 258 patients with left main tract disease, the atherosclerotic risk factors were compared between patients with ostial and nonostial lesions of the left main coronary artery. Also, it was done for patients with ostial right coronary artery. Women were more likely to have ostial left main coronary artery and/or ostial right coronary artery. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the female sex (odds ratio: 2.336) and hypertriglyceridemia (odds ratio: 1.004) were independent risk factors of ostial left main coronary artery lesion. For ostial right coronary artery lesion, the female sex and family history of coronary artery disease were independent predictors. Ostial left main coronary artery and right coronary artery lesions were strongly correlated. The demographic and clinical profiles of ostial stenosis suggest that this group may represent a distinct entity, different from the more common atherosclerotic left main trunk stenosis (LMTD). The female sex and serum triglyceride level can be considered as independent predictors of ostial left main tract disease.     

药物洗脱支架年代无保护左主干病变血运重建策略的选择

冠状动脉旁路移植术一直被认为是治疗无保护左主干病变的金标准.近年来,由于经皮冠状动脉介入治疗技术及器械的迅速发展,特别是药物洗脱支架的广泛应用,使冠状动脉介入治疗术后由再狭窄导致的再次靶病变血运重建率明显降低,经皮冠状动脉介入治疗无保护左主干病变研究以及和冠状动脉旁路移植术疗效对比研究越来越多,并且显示药物洗脱支架对无保护左主干病变有良好的疗效,其安全性与冠状动脉旁路移植术相似,甚至在某些方面具有优势.现就近年来冠状动脉旁路移植术和冠状动脉介入治疗无保护左主干病变的研究进展做一综述,探讨在药物洗脱支架年代无保护左主干病变治疗策略的选择.     

冠状动脉左主干病变介入治疗

冠状动脉左主干病变的介入治疗具有挑战性。现从冠状动脉左主干的解剖特点、冠状动脉左主干病变的病因形成、左主干病变的诊断、左主干病变的治疗、左主干病变支架术的适应证和禁忌证、器械选择、治疗策略等进行了详细的阐述。对于存在冠脉旁路移植术禁忌证、拒绝外科治疗或经严格选择的左心功能正常的无保护左主干病变的病人,冠脉支架置入术是一种较理想的治疗方法。     

Atherosclerotic aneurysm of the left main coronary artery. Case report and review of the literature

Coronary artery aneurysms involve the right coronary artery, the left anterior descending and the left circumflex coronary arteries in descending order of frequency; aneurysms involving the main left coronary artery are extremely rare. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause. Only eleven patients surgically treated with atherosclerotic left main coronary artery aneurysms are reported. We observed the twelfth case of atherosclerotic aneurysm of the left main coronary artery, successfully treated. In a 65-year-old man we found a large aneurysm originating at the distal segment of the left main coronary artery. A thromboendarterectomy was per-formed and was extended back into the left main and down the left anterior descending artery. An aneurysmorrhaphy and a three-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting were also performed. Three years later the patient was asymptomatic. Management of these cases is still controversial and based on anedoctal experience rather than controlled trials. Although surgery has been recommended to prevent complications, there are no available data comparing medical and surgical management. We feel that coronary bypasses should be performed in coronary artery aneurysm patients only when indicated by the severity of stenosis or progressive angina despite medical therapy. It is our opinion that anurysmorraphy should preserve native flow as much as possible.     

Left main coronary artery dissection during cardiac catheterization.

A 70-year-old man with a downward sloping origin of the left main coronary artery developed left main dissection at coronary angiography and died despite emergency coronary by-pass surgery. Autopsy showed that the left main coronary artery had an acute angle take off and dissection had originated at the junction of the superior wall of the left main and the aorta. The combination of left main stenosis secondary to dissection and severe right coronary atherosclerosis had caused circumferential subendocardial left ventricular infarction. The left main coronary artery had mild atherosclerosis and lacked cystic medial necrosis. An angulated left main coronary artery may be a risk factor for dissection at angiography.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of left main stenosis--results of the German PTCA registry

In cases with protected left main stenosis by previous bypass surgery or as an emergency intervention in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is performed as an alternative treatment strategy to bypass surgery. A review of 262 left main angioplasties revealed a procedure-related mortality in cases without protection of the left main coronary artery of 9.1% (4/44), in cases with partially protected left main stenosis by collaterals to either left coronary artery of 4.8% (1/21) and 0.5% (1/187) in cases with nonobstructed bypass grafts to either left coronary artery. Coronary angioplasty of an unprotected left main coronary artery, had an unacceptably high procedure-related mortality rate and should therefore not be performed even in cases of emergency intervention. The risk stratification of the procedure can be evaluated by the proposed grading of left main artery protection.     

Left main coronary artery spasm. A potential cause for angiographic misdiagnosis of severe coronary artery disease.

Two patients had catheter-induced spasm of the left main coronary artery during diagnostic coronary arteriography. One patient had no coronary artery disease, and the other had minimal disease of the right coronary artery. Spasm was relieved by nitrates; however, in one patient several doses were needed over 35 minutes. Catheter-induced spasm must be considered in the diagnosis of left main coronary artery disease, particularly on a patient with isolated left main coronary artery disease.     

Spasm of left main coronary artery.

A 46-year-old male patient with atypical angina pectoris appeared to have an important elongated stenosis of the left main coronary artery on coronary arteriography, and slight irregularities in the left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary arteries. A saphenous vein bypass graft to the left anterior descending artery was performed, and this relieved the patient's symptoms. Postoperative coronary arteriography demonstrated a widely patent left main coronary artery and graft. The original narrowing of the left main coronary artery was probably caused by spasm and the source of the patient's anginal symptom.     

Spasm of left main coronary artery.

A 46-year-old male patient with atypical angina pectoris appeared to have an important elongated stenosis of the left main coronary artery on coronary arteriography, and slight irregularities in the left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary arteries. A saphenous vein bypass graft to the left anterior descending artery was performed, and this relieved the patient's symptoms. Postoperative coronary arteriography demonstrated a widely patent left main coronary artery and graft. The original narrowing of the left main coronary artery was probably caused by spasm and the source of the patient's anginal symptom.     

冠状动脉左主干病变的治疗策略

冠状动脉(冠脉)左主干病变首选冠脉搭桥手术(CABG),尽可能选择不停跳CABG。急诊CABG风险较高,手术适应证①严重的左主干病变(>75%),尤其"无保护"左主干病变;②左主干病变>50%,并(或)有3支病变,出现严重的危及生命的室性心律失常;③左主干病变伴有急性冠脉综合征。     

Three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomographic images of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk in an adult

We present a 49-year-old female case of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk. Multidetector computed tomography was performed, and 3-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomographic images found that the left main coronary artery originated from left sinus of the pulmonary trunk and the right coronary artery from the right coronary cusp of the aorta. We speculate that this patient's long life may be due to the dominant right coronary artery and rich collateral from the right coronary artery to the left coronary artery.     

Bail-Out stenting for left main coronary artery occlusion following diagnostic angiography

We report a case of acute left main coronary artery occlusion treated with stenting of the left main artery. The patient had a severe ostial left main stenosis and after diagnostic coronary angiography developed a total occlusion of the left main artery with life threatening hemodynamic consequences. Stenting of the unprotected left main coronary artery was successfully performed as a salvage procedure.