Coronary artery fistulas: A 12-year single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare abnormalities, often detected incidentally during invasive coronary angiography (ICA). While most are clinically silent, they can cause significant morbidity. We aimed to investigate the clinical, angiographic and management features of CAFs in a population undergoing ICA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of all ICAs conducted in our department between May 2008 and January 2020 and selected those with CAFs. Clinical, angiographic, therapeutic and follow-up data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with CAFs (35 male, median age 64 years) were identified among 32 174 ICAs. The majority (n=37) had a single fistula. CAFs arose most frequently from the left anterior descending artery (LAD), followed by the right coronary and left circumflex coronary arteries. The most frequent drainage site was the pulmonary artery. Fourteen patients had fistulas originating from both left and right coronary systems. Seven had concomitant congenital cardiovascular disorders. The majority (n=40) were incidental findings. Chest pain was the most common symptom attributable to CAFs and heart murmur the most frequent sign. Conservative management was the main approach (n=40). Eight patients underwent transcatheter closure and seven underwent surgical ligation (six of those during surgery for another heart condition), with no periprocedural mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, the prevalence of CAFs was 0.2%. The majority originated from the LAD and the pulmonary artery was the main drainage site. In patients undergoing intervention, both percutaneous and surgical techniques were safe and effective.

Una anomalía coronaria poco común como posible causa de taquicardia ventricular / A rare coronary anomaly as a possible cause of ventricular tachycardia

Resumen Se presenta el caso de un varón de 77 años que acude a urgencias tras un episodio sincopal en el contexto de una taquicardia ventricular monomorfa sostenida, por lo que se realizó cardioversión eléctrica. Para filiar la etiología del evento arrítmico ventricular se realizó un estudio de la anatomía coronaria mediante coronariografía invasiva, en el que se objetivaron las arterias coronarias sin lesiones significativas, pero como hallazgo casual se describió una anomalía coronaria, con ausencia de tronco coronario y salida independiente de las arterias circunfleja (Cx) y descendente anterior (DA) del seno coronario derecho, originándose la DA y la coronaria derecha del mismo ostium coronario. Dichos hallazgos se confirmaron mediante tomografía computarizada con reconstrucción tridimensional. Además, se objetivó un trayecto interarterial de la DA (entre las arterias aorta y pulmonar) y un trayecto intramuscular de la DA, así como un trayecto retroaórtico de la Cx. Debido a estos hallazgos, se procedió al implante de un desfibrilador automático implantable como prevención secundaria. El paciente tuvo una buena evolución posterior y fue dado de alta a su domicilio sin incidencias. Se presenta el caso para ayudar a comprender mejor estos trastornos, dado que actualmente constituyen un reto diagnóstico, ya que en muchas ocasiones se trata de un hallazgo casual en pruebas complementarias o incluso en autopsias. Además, es una causa relativamente frecuente de parada cardiorrespiratoria en pacientes jóvenes. De las muchas variables anatómicas que constituyen las anomalías coronarias, existe poca literatura sobre esta anomalía presentada y no hay imágenes similares a las de este caso.

Abstract We present the case of a 77-year-old man who came to the emergency room after a syncopal episode in the context of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia for which electrical cardioversion was performed. In order to determine the etiology of the ventricular arrhythmic event, a study of the coronary anatomy was carried out using invasive coronary angiography, observing coronary arteries without significant lesions, although, as a chance finding, a coronary anomaly was described, with absence of the main coronary artery, with independent exit of circumflex (Cx) and anterior descending (AD) arteries of the right coronary sinus, originating the AD and right coronary artery from the same coronary ostium. These findings were later confirmed by computed tomography with 3D reconstruction. In addition, an interarterial path of AD (between aorta and pulmonary artery) and an intramuscular path of AD were observed, as well as a retro-aortic path of Cx. Given these findings, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted as secondary prevention. Good subsequent evolution with home discharge without incident. We present this case to help better understand these disorders, since they currently constitute a diagnostic challenge, since in many cases it is a chance finding in complementary tests or even in autopsies. It is also a relatively frequent cause of cardiorespiratory arrest in young patients. Of the many anatomical variables that make up the group of coronary anomalies, there is little bibliographic information on this anomaly presented, without finding images similar to those reported in this case.

Acquired anomalies of the coronary arteries after arterial switch operation. Usefulness of coronary computed tomography angiography and impact on follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality and morbidity in patients with transposition of the great arteries after an arterial switch operation depends mainly on the status of coronary perfusion. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) provides accurate information on coronary morphology, however its use in these patients is not yet routine procedure. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess its accuracy to identify acquired coronary anomalies in this population, compared to conventional angiography in a subset of patients, and assess its impact on postoperative management. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data on transposition of the great arteries in patients who underwent CCTA between January 2013 and September 2017. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and September 2017, 18 patients underwent CCTA. Seven patients (39%) disclosed iatrogenic coronary lesions (stenosis 1; kinking 2, occlusion 1; filiform coronary 3). The exam was performed in 78% of patients due to suggestion of myocardial ischemia (symptoms or altered exams). Only 16% needed to undergo additional exams, and in four patients the CCTA result modified therapeutic management. Conventional coronary angiography was also performed in 10 patients (55%), and in three cases, the results were discordant with underestimation or non-identification of coronary lesions on conventional angiography. The medium radiation dose used was 2.4 mSv and no complications after CT were reported. CONCLUSION: CCTA accurately identified iatrogenic postoperative coronary lesions and it has proven to be superior to conventional angiography in this population. It should be performed routinely in this group of patients, even in the absence of symptoms.

Acquired anomalies of the coronary arteries after arterial switch operation. Usefulness of coronary computed tomography angiography and impact on follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality and morbidity in patients with transposition of the great arteries after an arterial switch operation depends mainly on the status of coronary perfusion. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) provides accurate information on coronary morphology, however its use in these patients is not yet routine procedure. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess its accuracy to identify acquired coronary anomalies in this population, compared to conventional angiography in a subset of patients, and assess its impact on postoperative management. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data on transposition of the great arteries in patients who underwent CCTA between January 2013 and September 2017. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and September 2017, 18 patients underwent CCTA. Seven patients (39%) disclosed iatrogenic coronary lesions (stenosis 1; kinking 2, occlusion 1; filiform coronary 3). The exam was performed in 78% of patients due to suggestion of myocardial ischemia (symptoms or altered exams). Only 16% needed to undergo additional exams, and in four patients the CCTA result modified therapeutic management. Conventional coronary angiography was also performed in 10 patients (55%), and in three cases, the results were discordant with underestimation or non-identification of coronary lesions on conventional angiography. The medium radiation dose used was 2.4 mSv and no complications after CT were reported. CONCLUSION: CCTA accurately identified iatrogenic postoperative coronary lesions and it has proven to be superior to conventional angiography in this population. It should be performed routinely in this group of patients, even in the absence of symptoms.

Fístula entre la arteria coronaria descendente anterior y el tronco de la arteria pulmonar. Reporte de un caso clínico / Fístula between the anterior descending coronary artery and the pulmonary artery trunk. Clinical case report.

La primera fístula de la arteria coronaria (FAC) fue descrita en 1865 por Krause. Es una anomalía con una incidencia de 0,1% de la población adulta sometida a angiografía coronaria. Se caracteriza por la comunicación anormal entre una arteria coronaria y una cámara cardiaca o grandes vasos. Por lo general son congénitas y el cuadro clínico es silencioso, pero pueden presentarse como una enfermedad coronaria obstructiva, aunque las arterias coronarias estén libres de obstrucciones. El diagnóstico es normalmente hecho de forma casual. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 59 años de edad, con un cuadro clínico de inicio súbito, caracterizado por dolor torácico opresivo acompañado de cansancio en reposo. Diagnosticada y tratada como "angina de pecho". La cineangiocoronariografía mostró coronarias libres de aterosclerosis, evidenciando la presencia de una fístula entre la arteria descendente anterior y el tronco de la arteria pulmonar.

The first coronary artery fistula (FAC) was reported in 1865 by Krause. It is an anomaly with incidence less than 1% in angiographic studies. Characterized by abnormal communication between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or great vessels. They are usually congenital with silent clinical, but it can present as an obstructive coronary disease although the coronary arteries remain free of obs-truction. The diagnosis is usually made incidentally during coronary angiography. We introduce the clinical case of 59 years old woman who presented an event of sudden oppressive chest pain, accompanied by fatigue at rest. Diagnosed and treated as an angina pectoris. The coronary cineangiography showed a coronary free of atherosclerosis, demonstrating the presence of a fistula between the anterior descending artery and the main pulmonary artery.

Coronary arcade: a rare anomaly of the coronary circulation.

Intercoronary communication or 'coronary arcade' is a rare congenital coronary anomaly. We present the case of a 65-year-old man with atypical chest pain for four months. The 12-lead ECG and echocardiogram were normal. Treadmill exercise testing was interrupted at peak exercise due to consecutive salvos of ventricular premature beats, without significant ST-T changes. Coronary angiography showed no significant coronary stenosis, but a connection between the right coronary and circumflex arteries was observed, consistent with coronary arcade. The functional importance of this variant is not clear, but it may cause myocardial ischemia by coronary steal or function as a natural bypass, in which case it may play a protective role in the myocardium if significant atherosclerosis develops.

Angioplastía de circunfleja en paciente con doble arteria descendente anterior tipo IV: Propuesta para actualizar la clasificación de Spindola-Franco / Circumflex angioplasty in a patient with type IV dual left anterior descending coronary artery: Proposal for updating the classification of Spindola-Franco

La anatomía normal de las arterias coronarias incluye una serie de variantes respecto a su origen, distribución y recorrido, que hacen que no existan 2 pacientes con coronarias exactamente iguales. La arteria descendente anterior puede tener variantes anatómicas que no afectan el aporte normal de sangre al territorio miocárdico correspondiente. En nuestros 25 años de trabajo y más de 11,000 coronariografías realizadas, sólo habíamos encontrado un paciente con un doble sistema, tipo IV, de la arteria descendente anterior. En este artículo mostramos el caso de una paciente con la anomalía coronaria descrita que presentaba, además, una estenosis severa de la arteria circunfleja que fue tratada exitosamente por vía percutánea. También, se propone una actualización de la clasificación de Spindola-Franco, donde se mantienen los 4 tipos originales y se añaden 7 variantes anatómicas o subtipos.

The normal anatomy of coronary arteries includes a kind of variants with regard to its origin, distribution and route, which makes that 2 patients do not have coronary arteries exactly alike. Left anterior descending artery could have anatomical variations that do not affect the normal supply of blood to the corresponding myocardial territory. In our 25 years of experience, and more than 11,000 coronary angiographies, we have found only one patient with a type IV Classification; dual left anterior descending coronary artery. In this article we show the case of a patient with the described coronary anomaly, presenting a severe stenosis of the circumflex artery which was successfully treated percutaneously. Besides, a proposal for updating the classification of Spindola-Franco is made, where the 4 types previously described were kept invariable, and 7 anatomical variants or subtypes were added.

Arteria coronaria descendente anterior doble: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Dual left anterior descending coronary artery: a case report and literature review

La arteria coronaria descendente anterior es la arteria coronaria con el trayecto más constante; sin embargo en algunas ocasiones puede presentarse un sistema doble. Se reporta y se realiza una revisión de la literatura de un caso de un paciente con arteria coronaria descendente anterior doble tipo 1, con bloqueo de rama izquierda pero sin lesiones ateromatosas significativas.

The left anterior descending coronary artery has one of the most constant anatomy course of all coronary arteries. Rarely however, interventional cardiologists might be facing with a dual left anterior descending artery during routine angiography. A case of a patient presenting with left bundle branch block and a coronary angiography showing a rare anatomic variant of a type 1, dual left anterior descending coronary artery is reported. The available literature was also reviewed.

Angioplastia coronaria sobre arteria descendente anterior con origen anómalo y arteria coronaria derecha / Coronary angioplasty on anterior descending artery with anomalous origin and right coronary artery

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente exfumador (sin otro antecedente), que después de una situación de estrés comenzó a experimentar, por más de 20 minutos, dolor precordial intenso, opresivo y retroesternal, irradiado hacia el hombro izquierdo, acompañado de diaforesis. Sobre la base de los resultados de la prueba de esfuerzo y ecografía, se realizó cateterismo cardíaco, lo cual permitió diagnosticar una anomalía en la arteria coronaria izquierda, dada por el nacimiento de la descendente anterior de la coronaria derecha. La obstrucción de ambas arterias fue eliminada exitosamente mediante angioplastia y colocación de una endoprótesis vascular.

The case report of a former smoker is presented who (without any other history) after a stressful situation began to experience during more than 20 minutes a severe retrosternal and oppressive precordial pain irradiated to the left shoulder, accompanied by diaphoresis. Taking into account the results of the stress test and ultrasonography, cardiac catheterization was performed that allowed to diagnose an abnormality in the left coronary artery, which consisted in the birth of the anterior descending artery from right coronary artery. The obstruction of both arteries was successfully removed by angioplasty and vascular stent placement.