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A 72 year old woman with ALCAPA
1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|January 5, 2000
Summary
Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) syndrome is rare. This case highlights an asymptomatic adult diagnosis and conservative management approach for ALCAPA syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) syndrome is a rare congenital heart defect.
- Typically presents in infancy with symptoms of heart failure or myocardial infarction.
- Adult presentation is uncommon, often discovered incidentally.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old woman with ALCAPA syndrome presented asymptomatically.
- A cardiac murmur was detected during a routine gynecological examination.
- Coronary cineangiography confirmed the diagnosis of ALCAPA syndrome.
Findings:
- The patient was asymptomatic with no clinical signs of heart failure.
- Despite ALCAPA syndrome typically requiring surgical correction, a conservative approach was chosen.
- Medical management was deemed appropriate due to the patient's asymptomatic status.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates that ALCAPA syndrome can remain undiagnosed into adulthood.
- It suggests that asymptomatic adult patients may be candidates for medical management.
- Highlights the importance of cardiac auscultation in routine examinations, even in adults.