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Giant coronary artery aneurysm in association with systemic arterial ectasia. A case report

A Anania1, M Trapani, E Striglia

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. antonio.anania@unito.it

Minerva Cardioangiologica
|February 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Atherosclerosis can cause coronary artery aneurysms, which are increasingly diagnosed. This case highlights a large coronary artery aneurysm in a patient with other vascular conditions, managed conservatively.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are increasingly diagnosed with advancements in coronary angiography.
  • Atherosclerosis is the primary etiology in approximately 50% of CAA cases.
  • Other causes include vasculitis, trauma, and congenital factors.

Observation:

  • A 71-year-old male with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm and cerebral artery ectasia presented with a large paracardiac mass.
  • Thoracic MRI revealed a 7 cm hollow mass in the atrio-ventricular sulcus.
  • Coronary arteriography confirmed a left anterior descending (LAD) artery aneurysm.

Findings:

  • Laboratory screening for vasculitis was negative.
  • Other systemic and vascular diseases were excluded.
  • The findings strongly suggest an atherosclerotic etiology for the LAD aneurysm.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering atherosclerosis in complex vascular presentations.
  • Conservative management was chosen due to the absence of cardiac symptoms.
  • Long-term follow-up is crucial for patients with unruptured coronary artery aneurysms.

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