Origen anómalo de la arteria coronaria derecha desde el tronco de la arteria pulmonar (ARCAPA) / Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery originating from the pulmonary trunk; ARCAPA / Origem anômala da artéria coronária direita do tronco da artéria pulmonar; ARCAPA

Las anomalías de las arterias coronarias son una condición clínica de muy baja incidencia y de estas el origen anómalo de la arteria coronaria derecha desde el tronco de la arteria pulmonar (ARCAPA) representa cerca de 0,002% en la población general. Se puede asociar a la presencia de otras anomalías cardíacas congénitas. Presentamos el caso de una recién nacida, pretérmino de 33 semanas, gemelar, a la cual se le realiza el diagnóstico de un probable origen anómalo de coronaria derecha en un estudio ecocardiográfico de rutina realizado en la unidad de terapia intensiva. Se confirma el diagnóstico mediante cateterismo cardíaco y se realiza la corrección quirúrgica definitiva a los 6 meses de edad, estando la niña actualmente asintomática y con una calidad de vida normal. Destacamos la baja frecuencia de la ocurrencia de dicha patología, realizamos una revisión sobre los tópicos principales en el desarrollo del árbol vascular coronario y las principales anomalías del mismo. Jerarquizamos la importancia de realizar un estudio ecocardiográfico adecuado como valoración de pacientes internados en unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal.

Coronary artery anomalies are a clinical condition of very low incidence. Out of these, the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the trunk of the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is estimated to represent 0.002% of the general population. It may be associated with the presence of other congenital cardiac anomalies. The study presents the case of a 33 week preterm newborn twin who is diagnosed with an anomalous origin of the right coronary in a routine echocardiographic study performed in the Intensive Care Unit. The diagnosis is confirmed by cardiac catheterization and definitive surgical correction is performed at 6 months of age, the child being currently asymptomatic and enjoying a normal quality of life. We stand out the low frequency of the occurrence of this pathology. We performed a review of the main topics in the development of the coronary vascular tree and their main anomalies. We emphasize on the importance of performing an adequate Echocardiographic study as an assessment of patients admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

As anomalias das artérias coronárias representam uma condição clínica de incidência muito baixa; e a origem anômala da artéria coronária direita do tronco da artéria pulmonar (ARCAPA) representa somente uma estimativa de 0,002% na população geral. Pode estar associada à presença de outras anomalias cardíacas congênitas. Apresentamos o caso de um recém-nascido, prematuro de 33 semanas, gêmeo, diagnosticado com provável origem anômala de coronária direita em estudo ecocardiográfico de rotina realizado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Confirmou-se o diagnóstico através de cateterismo cardíaco e realizou-se a correção cirúrgica definitiva aos 6 meses de idade; a doença atualmente é assintomática e a menina tem uma qualidade de vida normal. Ressaltamos a baixa frequência da ocorrência da referida patologia; realizamos uma revisão dos principais tópicos no desenvolvimento da árvore vascular coronariana e suas principais anomalias. Destacamos a importância de realizar um estudo ecocardiográfico adequado como estratégia de avaliação de pacientes internados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal.

Evaluation of anomalous coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery

Abstract Objective: This study evaluated clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment methods, and follow-up of cases of anomalous coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery. Methods: The study included all cases diagnosed with anomalous coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery between January 2012 and January 2016. Data from patients’ demographic characteristics, electrocardiography, echocardiography, angiographic findings, operation, intensive care unit stay, and follow-up were evaluated. Results: The study included 12 patients (8 male, 4 female), 10 with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) and 2 with anomalous right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA). Median age at diagnosis was 4 months (range, 1 month - 10 years old) and median weight was 5.5 kg (range, 3-30 kg). The most common complaints were murmur (n=7) and respiratory distress (n=5). In 4 cases, the initial diagnosis was dilated cardiomyopathy. Electrocardiographs were pathologic in all cases. Echocardiographic examination revealed medium to severe mitral valve regurgitation in 4 cases and reduced (< 40%) ejection fraction in 6 patients. Of the 12 patients, 8 underwent direct implantation of the left coronary artery into the aorta, 2 underwent implantation of the right coronary artery into the aorta, and the remaining 2 underwent a Takeuchi procedure. There were no early mortalities. Median hospital stay was 20 days (range, 5-35 days). Median follow-up duration was 18 months (range, 5-36 months), and no cases required further surgery during follow-up. Conclusions: Anomalous coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery can be successfully repaired providing there is early diagnosis and effective, appropriate intensive care unit follow-up. Therefore, coronary artery origins should be evaluated carefully, especially in cases with dilated cardiomyopathies.

Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) in adult age: A 5-case series successfully repaired with surgery / Origen anómalo de la coronaria izquierda en la arteria pulmonar (ALCAPA) en la edad adulta: Una serie de 5 casos reparados con éxito con cirugía

Objective: To describe conduct, evolution and surgical treatment of ALCAPA in adult patients. Material and methods: Series of five cases, > eighteen years old. Clinical data (including surgery and follow-up), and echocardiographic/hemodynamic studies were reviewed. Results: The series comprised four women (80%) and a man (20%), with a mean age of 38.2 (range 18-65) years. Myocardial ischemia was found in three patients (60%), detection of a cardiac murmur in one patient (20%) and aborted sudden death in one patient (20%). Physical examination was normal in every case. Two patients (40%) presented grade II cardiomegaly and venocapillary pulmonary hypertension. In three cases, subendocardial ischemia was found on the EKG without necrosis evidence. Echocardiogram was performed in every patient. On the short axis window turbulent (mosaic) retrograde flow on left interventricular septum and left coronary artery absence was documented. Myocardial scintigraphy was performed on four patients finding moderate to severe anterolateral ischemia. CT angiography was performed on 80% of cases. In 40% of patients, left ventricular end diastolic pressure was elevated in cardiac catheterization. Surgical repair was successful in every case. Coronary reimplantation was performed on two patients, Takeuchi procedure was performed on two patients and revascularization with an internal mammary artery-to-anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery procedure in one patient. After 48 months of follow-up, every patient is alive in functional class I. Conclusions: Natural history of ALCAPA includes chronic ischemia, ventricular dysfunction and severe arrhythmias that could lead to death. There are very few cases in adults and the likelihood of reaching this age depends on collateral circulation provided by the right coronary artery. This was found in each case in this series, documented by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Surgical procedures for this entity include coronary reimplantation, Takeuchi procedure and internal mammary artery-to-anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery procedure (performed in one patient on this series). Prognosis is good, as long as the congenital defect is corrected.

Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento, evolución y tratamiento quirúrgico de ALCAPA en pacientes adultos. Material y métodos: Serie de cinco casos, mayores de 18 años de edad. Se revisaron los datos clínicos, ecocardiográficos, hemodinámicos, quirúrgicos y del seguimiento. Resultados: La serie comprendió cuatro mujeres (80%) y un varón (20%), con edad promedio de 38.2 años (rango 18-65 años). Se encontró isquemia miocárdica en 60% de los casos, detección de soplo en 20% y muerte súbita abortada en el 20%. La exploración física fue normal en todos los casos. Dos pacientes con cardiomegalia grado II e hipertensión venocapilar. En tres casos el ECG mostró isquemia subendocárdica pero sin evidencia de necrosis. El ecocardiograma reveló flujo turbulento retrógrado en septum interventricular y ausencia de la arteria coronaria izquierda en el eje corto. El gammagrama cardiaco fue positivo para isquemia, moderada a severa en región anterolateral. Se realizó angiotomografía en 80% de los casos. En 40% de los pacientes, la presión diastólica final del ventrículo izquierdo se encontró elevada en el cateterismo cardiaco. La cirugía fue exitosa en todos los casos. La técnica quirúrgica de elección fue el reimplante de la arteria coronaria en dos pacientes, procedimiento de Takeuchi (túnel intrapulmonar) en dos casos y en un solo caso con revascularización con arteria mamaria interna. Después de 48 meses de seguimiento todos los pacientes están vivos y en clase funcional I. Conclusiones: La historia natural de la ALPACA implica isquemia crónica y disfunción ventricular además de arritmias severas que pueden llevar a la muerte. Son pocos los adultos con esta entidad y depende del grado de circulación colateral a partir de la coronaria derecha, esto se encontró en todos nuestros casos y están documentados en el ecocardiograma y confirmados con el cateterismo cardiaco. Las opciones terapéuticas quirúrgicas incluyen el reimplante de la arteria coronaria o bien la revascularización miocárdica con puentes de arteria mamaria. Como ocurrió en una sola de nuestras pacientes que fue la de mayor edad. El pronóstico es bueno, siempre y cuando se corrija la lesión congénita.