Coronary arterial malformation depicted at multi-slice CT angiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Interventional Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• A continuous cardiac murmur in a 57-year-old woman prompted further investigation.
• Transthoracic echocardiography identified an unusual chamber anterior to the heart.

Observation:

• Multi-slice computed tomographic (MSCT) imaging was employed to delineate the cardiac anomaly.
• MSCT angiography with retrospective ECG gating was performed for detailed anatomical assessment.

Findings:

• The imaging revealed a complex coronary arterial malformation.
• Fistulous communications were identified between the coronary artery, pulmonary artery, and aortic root.

Implications:

• MSCT coronary angiography is crucial for understanding the intricate anatomy of coronary arterial malformations.
• This case highlights the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging in complex cardiovascular conditions.