Ponytail Left Anterior Descending Artery: A Case Report

ABSTRACT Division of the anterior descending branch into many small arteries is a rare coronary anomaly. We report the case of a 64-year-old female with severe stenosis (>75%) in the proximal region of the anterior descending branch as indicated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). In addition, coronary angiography showed that the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery split into numerous small arteries, an anomaly that can confound clinical examination.

Descripción angiográfica de los aspectos anatómicos y clínicos de la arteria interventricular anterior en un grupo de personas colombianas / Angiographic description of the anatomy and clinical aspects of the anterior interventricular artery in a group of Colombians individuals

Introducción. La arteria interventricular anterior se origina en la coronaria izquierda, irriga la cara anterior de los ventrículos, el ápex y el tabique interventricular; es la segunda arteria más relevante del corazón. Objetivo. Describir las características anatómicas y clínicas de la arteria interventricular anterior mediante angiografía. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con 200 reportes angiográficos de personas colombianas; se valoraron el origen, el trayecto y la permeabilidad de la arteria interventricular anterior, así como la dominancia coronaria. Se incluyeron datos relacionados con dolor precordial, infarto agudo de miocardio, dislipidemia y alteración electrocardiográfica. No fue posible hacer pruebas estadísticas, debido a la escasa prevalencia de variaciones anatómicas de dicha arteria. Resultados. Se encontró una arteria interventricular anterior con su origen en el seno aórtico izquierdo, sin puente miocárdico, sin alteración de la permeabilidad y con dominancia izquierda. La frecuencia de los puentes fue del 2 % y la dominancia más frecuente fue la derecha en el 86 %. Se presentaron alteraciones de permeabilidad en el 43 % de los casos, las cuales afectaron principalmente al S13. El 25 % de los pacientes presentó dolor precordial; el 40 %, alteraciones ecocardiográficas; el 5 %, cardiopatía isquémica, y el 59 %, alguna alteración electrocardiográfica. Conclusiones. Las variaciones en el origen de la arteria interventricular anterior son poco prevalentes, según reportes de Chile, Colombia y España. Los puentes miocárdicos de esta arteria fueron escasos respecto a otros estudios, lo cual sugiere mejor especificidad de los hallazgos de la angiotomografía o de la disección directa. La permeabilidad coronaria se valora con la escala TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction); puntajes de 0 y 1 indican una lesión oclusiva asociada con cardiopatía isquémica. La dominancia coronaria más frecuente, según diversas técnicas, es la derecha, seguida de la izquierda en hombres y de una circulación balanceada en mujeres.

Introduction. The anterior interventricular artery originates from the left coronary artery and irrigates the anterior surface of the ventricles, apex, and interventricular septum, making it the second most relevant artery of the heart. Objective. To describe the anatomical and clinical aspects of the anterior interventricular artery through angiography. Materials and methods. A descriptive study was conducted using 200 angiographic reports of Colombian individuals. The anterior interventricular artery's origin, course, patency, and coronary dominance were evaluated. Data related to chest pain, acute myocardial infarction, dyslipidemia, and electrocardiographic abnormalities were included. Statistical tests could not be performed due to this artery's low prevalence of anatomical variations. Results. One anterior interventricular artery was found to have originated from the left coronary sinus without a myocardial bridge, with no alteration in permeability, and with left dominance. The frequency of bridges was 2%, and the most frequent dominance was right in 86; permeability alterations occurred in 43% mainly affecting S13. Twenty-five per cent presented chest pain; 40%, echocardiographic alterations; 5%, ischemic heart disease, and 59%, electrocardiographic alterations. Conclusions. Variations of origin of the anterior interventricular artery have a low prevalence according to reports from Chile, Colombia, and Spain. anterior interventricular artery myocardial bridges were scarce compared to other studies, suggesting better specificity of computed tomography angiography or direct dissection for these findings. The assessment of coronary permeability is graded with the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction scale; values 0 and 1 indicate occlusive lesion associated with ischemic heart disease. According to various techniques, the most frequent coronary dominance the right, followed by the left in men and balanced circulation in women.

Circumflex Coronary Artery Fistula Draining into Coronary Sinus

ABSTRACT Coronary artery fistula draining into the coronary sinus is a rare vascular malformation, and its diagnosis and clinical manifestations usually occur late. We describe the case of a 72-year-old female patient with dyspnea on exertion (New York Heart Association Class III) associated with palpitations. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed significant tricuspid insufficiency. Cardiac catheterization showed aneurysm of the circumflex coronary artery and fistula of this artery draining into the coronary sinus. The patient underwent fistula ligation and tricuspid valve repair, with excellent surgical results.

Dual left anterior descending artery: Case series based on novel classification and its therapeutic implications

Angiographically, a “dual LAD” is described as two distinct arteries supplying the vascular territory of the LAD in parts, identified as the short LAD/LAD1 and the long LAD/LAD2. Using an easy-to-understand three-step approach, Jariwala et al unveiled a novel classification strategy for dual LAD systems in an attempt to decrease ambiguity in diagnosis and management of the anomaly. As part of our research, we looked at a wide range of published cases and case series in the literature, and also those reported from our hospital. In our novel classification system, we divide dual LADs into three main groups based on their origin and vascular territory, each of which is further divided into subgroups based on the course of LAD1/LAD2 and the variable feature that is a distinguishing attribute of the type of anomaly to be specified. A review of 144 publications in the world literature revealed 340 patients eligible for the study. The median age was 58.8 years (SD - 11.42; range - 29e89) with male predominance (3.3:1). Cases in Group I comprised 60.6% of the total cases, followed by Group II (36.2%), and Group III (3.2%). Subgroup I-A was the most common in terms of dual LAD, followed by subgroup II-A. Acute coronary syndrome (45.5%) and chronic coronary syndrome (55.8%) were the most common clinical presentations in patients with significant coronary artery disease (30.8%).

Fechamento transcateter de fístula de artéria coronária com dispositivo Amplatzer Piccolo™ / Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula with Amplatzer Piccolo™ device

As fístulas das artérias coronárias são anomalias congênitas raras e caracterizam uma comunicação anormal entre as artérias coronárias e as câmaras cardíacas ou grandes vasos. Muitos dispositivos que incluem vários coils, plugues vasculares, oclusores e stents recobertos têm sido usados no fechamento transcateter de fístulas de artérias coronárias. Neste relato, realizamos com sucesso o fechamento de uma fístula de artéria coronária, entre a artéria descendente anterior e o ápice do ventrículo direito, usando o dispositivo Amplatzer PiccoloTM, anteriormente chamado de tamanho adicional do AmplatzerTM Duct Occluder. Em nossa opinião, o dispositivo Amplatzer PiccoloTM é adequado para oclusão transcateter de fístula da artéria coronária, podendo ser usado no lugar de plugues vasculares.

Coronary artery fistulas are rare congenital anomalies and characterize an abnormal communication between coronary arteries and cardiac chambers or major arteries. Many devices, including various coils, vascular plugs, occluders, and cover stent, have been used in transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistulas. In this report we successfully closed coronary artery fistula, between left anterior descending artery and right ventricle apex, by using Amplatzer PiccoloTM device, formerly called as AmplatzerTM Duct Occluder additional size. In our opinion, Amplatzer PiccoloTM device is suitable for transcatheter occlusion of coronary artery fistula and can be used instead of vascular plugs.

Fístula da artéria descendente anterior para artéria pulmonar / Left anterior descending artery fistula to pulmonary artery

As anomalias congênitas e, dentre elas, as variações anatômicas das artérias coronarianas, embora pouco frequentes, são cada vez mais estudadas e diagnosticadas devido à estreita relação de sintomas, tais quais angina, dispneia, síncope ou arritmias em pessoas jovens sem comorbidades. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal apresentar o estudo de caso de um paciente com sintomas isquêmicos secundários à malformação de uma artéria coronariana. Descrevem-se o momento da admissão do paciente, o diagnóstico mediante exames complementares e a resolução terapêutica do caso. As fístulas coronarianas, apesar de terem uma baixa incidência entre as cardiopatias congênitas, tornaram-se cada vez mais frequentes, sendo melhor caraterizadas devido aos novos métodos diagnósticos.

Congenital anomalies and within them anatomical variations of coronary arteries, although uncommon, are being increasingly studied and diagnosed due to the close relationship of symptoms such as angina, dyspnea, syncope or arrhythmias in young people without comorbidities. This study aimed to present the case report of a patient with ischemic symptoms secondary to malformation of a coronary artery. We describe the moment of patient admission, diagnosis by complementary tests and therapeutic resolution of the case. Coronary fistulas, despite having a low incidence among congenital heart diseases, have become increasingly frequent, being better characteristic due to new diagnostic methods.

Anomalía coronaria sospechada por el signo "RAC" en resonancia magnética cardíaca / Anomalous coronary artery suspected by cardiac magnetic resonance "RAC" sign

Abstract A 63 year-old-male was admitted with a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. Due to poor acoustic windows ventricular function could not be evaluated by echocardiography. Magnetic resonance (CMR) revealed normal biventricular size and function without fibro- sis and portraying a rare finding consisting of a tubular structure originated in the aortic root following a retro aortic course between the aorta and left atrium, traversing through the atrioventricular groove. These characteristics raised the suspicion of an anomalous coronary artery origin. Coronary angiography confirmed the presence of two coronary arteries, the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left circumflex artery (LCx) originating from the right coronary sinus via two separate ostia. The LCx followed a retro aortic course proximally be- fore irrigating the left ventricular lateral wall. From the left coronary sinus, the left anterior descending artery followed its normal course with a thin diagonal vessel that presented an acute plaque. Due to these low-risk findings, medical management was chosen.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve in Patients with Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery from the Left Coronary Sinus

Origen anómalo de arterias coronarias: "Reporte de casos Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke" / Anomalous origin of coronary arteries: Dr. Gustavo Fricke ́s Hospital case report

Introducción: Las arterias coronarias se encargan de la irrigación miocárdica. Sus anomalías son infrecuentes y su diagnóstico corresponde prácticamente a un hallazgo de estudios imagenológicos, siendo el estándar la coronariografía. Las más frecuentes corresponden al origen de la arteria coronaria desde el seno aórtico opuesto. Nuestro objetivo es evidenciar tales anomalías y realizar una revisión bibliográfica al respecto. Casos: Pacientes de la unidad de hemodinamia del hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke con síndrome coronario, en quienes, tras realizar coronariografía, se evidenció la existencia de origen anómalo de arterias coronarias. Discusión: El síndrome coronario conduce a la necesidad de realizar una coronariografía que puede revelar la presencia de anomalías coronarias, entidad cuyo diagnóstico es anecdótico debido a su baja prevalencia (<1%).

Introduction: Coronary arteries are in charge of myocardial irrigation. Its anomalies are infrequent and its diagnosis are practically findings in imaging studies, being the coronary angiography the gold-standard. The most frequent are the origin of the coronary artery from the opposite aortic sinus. Our objective is to show such anomalies and do a bibliographic review. Cases: Patients from the Dr. Gustavo Fricke hospital's hemodynamics unit with coronary syndrome, whom, after performing a coronary angiography, the existence of an anomalous origin of coronary arteries was evidenced. Discussion: Coronary syndrome leads to the need to perform a coronary angiography that can reveal the presence of coronary anomalies, whose diagnose is anecdotal due to its low prevalence (< 1%).

Arteria coronaria única y cardiopatía coronaria: origen anómalo de la arteria coronaria derecha desde la descendente anterior: casos clínicos / Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery in the middle third of the anterior descending artery: report of two cases

The anomalous origin of the coronary arteries is uncommon and the origin of the right coronary artery from the middle third of the anterior descending artery is a finding of extreme rarity. We report two patients with coronary atherosclerotic disease and with an acute coronary syndrome, in whom a single left coronary artery was found. The clinical and angiographic characteristics and the treatment of these patients are described.

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries with an interarterial course: pictorial essay / Origem anômala de artérias coronarianas com trajeto interarterial: ensaio iconográfico

Abstract Coronary arteries originating from the contralateral (noncoronary) sinus and having an interarterial course, in which they run from the ascending aorta to the pulmonary trunk, is a potentially fatal anomaly. Computed tomography (CT) angiography facilitates the recognition and therapeutic planning of such anomalies because of its ability to acquire high-resolution images of the entire course of the coronary artery, as well as of the accompanying atherosclerotic involvement. The right coronary artery originating from the left coronary sinus is the most prevalent anomaly of this type and usually implies a better prognosis, the interarterial course being classified as "high" or "low", depending on whether it is above or below the level of the pulmonary valve, with consequent stratification of the risk and the treatment. However, it is known that there is a high risk of sudden death among patients with a left coronary artery of anomalous origin from the right sinus. In such cases, surgical treatment is recommended, regardless of whether there are symptoms or evidence of ischemia. Given the importance of those aspects, which can be identified on CT of the chest or CT angiography of the aorta, this pictorial essay aims to illustrate such anomalies to facilitate their recognition and description by radiologists who are not specialists in cardiac imaging.

Resumo O trajeto interarterial das artérias coronárias com origem em seio contralateral/não coronariano é uma anomalia potencialmente fatal caracterizada pelo trajeto das coronárias entre a aorta ascendente e o tronco da artéria pulmonar. A angiotomografia auxilia no reconhecimento e planejamento terapêutico dessas alterações, em virtude da sua capacidade em adquirir imagens de alta resolução de todo o trajeto coronariano, assim como do envolvimento aterosclerótico associado. A artéria coronária direita originada no seio coronariano esquerdo costuma ser mais prevalente e relacionada a um melhor prognóstico, sendo classificada em curso interarterial "alto" ou "baixo" de acordo com a altura do seu trajeto em relação à valva pulmonar, com consequente estratificação de risco e tratamento distintos. Sabe-se, entretanto, que há um elevado risco de morte súbita entre pacientes com artéria coronária esquerda de origem anômala a partir do seio direito, sendo recomendado tratamento cirúrgico, independentemente de sintomas ou evidência de isquemia. Em razão da importância desses achados que podem ser encontrados em exames de tomografia de tórax e angiotomografias de aorta, o presente ensaio tem por objetivo ilustrar as anomalias de trajeto das artérias coronárias, para facilitar seu reconhecimento e sua descrição por médicos radiologistas não especialistas em imagem cardíaca.

Adult anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery: A case report and literature review / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To explore the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment methods of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (A L C A P A), and to improve the clinicians'understanding of the disease. Methods: The clinical data of an adult patient with ALCAPA who had been misdiagnosed as endocardial fiborelastosis (E F E) were retrospectively analyzed; in the meanwhile, the related literatures were reviewed. Results: The patient admitted to hospital because of her intermittent precordial pain, chest tightness and shortness of breath, and suffered from more than 2 months, aggravated for 3 d. The patient was preliminarily diagnosed as cardiomyopathy (considering the great possibility of E F E), atrial fibrillation, N Y H A E. After treatment, paroxysmal retrosternal pain still occurred, and ventricular fibrillation occurred one time. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as ALCAPA by coronary artery CTA, and treated by coronary artery bypass grafting. After operation, the patient recovered well. Conclusion: ALCAPA is relatively rare, and its clinical manifestations lack specificity, so it is easy to misdiagnose. Coronary artery CTA is an effective diagnostic method, and operation is the first choice for its treatment.

Myocardial Infarction Associated with Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery and Double Right Coronary Artery / 대한내과학회지

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare coronary artery anomaly and double right coronary artery (RCA) is a very rare coronary anomaly. Because patients with ALCAPA usually die within 1 year of being born due to myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure, ALPACA is very rarely seen in adults. Here, we report an extremely rare asymptomatic case of MI, presumably caused by ALCAPA and double RCA, and provide a review of the literature. This is the first reported case of coronary artery anomaly that had both ALCAPA and double RCA.

Unusual Communication between the Pulmonary Artery and Vieussens’ Arterial Ring Causing Infective Endocarditis / 대한흉부외과학회지

Coronary artery fistula is an abnormal communication between the coronary artery and the cardiac chambers. In particular, an abnormal connection between the conus branch of the right coronary artery and the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery is defined as Vieussens’ arterial ring. Coronary artery fistulas are usually asymptomatic, but some can cause complications such as infective endocarditis. Here, we report a case of Vieussens’ arterial ring causing infective endocarditis with severe mitral regurgitation.

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.

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated coronary arteriovenous fistula

Coronary arteriovenous fistula (CAVF) is a rare condition defined as an anomalous termination of the coronary arteries. The etiology of CAVF is either congenital or acquired, and iatrogenic CAVF is most commonly caused by cardiovascular surgery or percutaneous intervention. Most of the prenatally diagnosed CAVFs were related to complex heart disease, and only few cases of an isolated CAVF have been reported to date. We successfully diagnosed an isolated CAVF by fetal echocardiography at 25.3 weeks of gestation. Accurate prenatal diagnosis resulted in the prompt decision for postnatal surgical correction, and the neonate thrived well without any complications.

Diagnosis and treatment of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus in children and adolescents / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the clinical characteristics and improve the diagnosis and treatment of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus (AAOCA)in children and adolescents. Methods Between January 2012 and December 2016,11 children/ adolescents [8 were boys,3 were girls,age was (10. 1 ± 5. 6) years old]diagnosed with AAOCA were retrospectively reviewed at Department Pediatric Cordiology,Guangdong General Hospital. The clinical features,transthoracic echocardiography (TTE),computed tomography images,electro-cardiogram (ECG),cardinc troponin I(CTnI)and creatinine kinase - MB(CK - MB)were analyzed. Results The di-agnosis of AAOCA was confirmed by TTE and computed tomography images in all 11 cases. Left coronary artery origina-ted from the right sinus in 5 patients,and right artery coronary originated from the left sinus in 6 cases. Five patients with intramural course had the history of exercise - related syncope. Of these 5 cases with exercise - related syncope,4 cases were diagnosed as left coronary artery originated from the right sinus and 1 case was diagnosed as right artery coronary originated from the left sinus. ECG,CTnI and CK - MB revealed acute myocardial ischemia in these patients with exercise - related syncope. Unroofing procedures were undergone in these 5 patients. The remaining 6 patients had no syncope and symptoms of cardia ischemia,sports activities were restricted and follow - ups were counseled in these 6 patients. There was no sudden death events later,and none of the patients demonstrated any evidence of new myocardial ischemia in the follow - up study. Conclusions AAOCA can be associated with syncope and myocardial ischemia in children and adolescents. The correct diagnosis of AAOCA requires a very high index of suspicion. Sports activities restriction and follow - up should be counseled in cases with AAOCA. Unroofing procedures should be performed in symptomatic cases with AAOCA and an intramural course.