A giant coronary artery aneurysm in the right coronary artery

Michael J Collins1, Aidan J Borges, Gursharan Singh

  • 1Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Insights

Giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare and often asymptomatic, typically found during investigations for heart disease. This case highlights a large right coronary artery aneurysm discovered incidentally during surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are uncommon vascular abnormalities.
  • Atherosclerosis is the most frequent underlying cause.
  • CAAs are often asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally.

Observation:

  • A case of a "giant" right coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is presented.
  • The aneurysm was discovered incidentally during a surgical procedure.
  • Pathological examination was performed.

Findings:

  • The aneurysm was confirmed as a true aneurysm.
  • Histopathology revealed significant thinning of the arterial media.
  • Fibrocalcific plaques and lymphocytic infiltrates were noted.

Implications:

  • Giant CAAs, though rare, require careful consideration in surgical planning.
  • Understanding the pathological features is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • This case contributes to the literature on rare coronary artery pathologies.

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