Congenital coronary artery anomalies: diagnosis with 64 slice multidetector row computed tomography coronary...

Retrospective review of the congenital coronary artery (CA) anomalies detected by a 64-slice multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography. The type of the anomaly, imaging characteristics, clinical relevance and the superiority of the MDCT over conventional coronary angiography are discussed. Multidetector row computed tomographic coronary angiography was carried out by the usual technique with 70 cc of non-ionic contrast agent and retrospective electrocardiogram gating. The volume data obtained were reconstructed in axial plane, along with volume-rendered three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual angioscopy in selected patients. The images were analysed by a radiologist, experienced in cardiac CT, and an experienced cardiologist. A retrospective review of the records was carried out, and subjects with congenital coronary anomalies were included in the study. Between 15 November 2005 and 27 February 2007, 1495 MDCT coronary angiograms were carried out. Eleven of them were found to have coronary anomalies. Five had absent left main CA. Two had interarterial course of the left main CA artery passing in between the right ventricular outflow tract and the root of aorta. In one patient, there was aberrant origin of right CA from the left aortic sinus with subsequent interarterial course and another one had aberrant origin of circumflex artery from the right aortic sinus. One patient each of congenitally absent circumflex artery and atresia of the right CA were found. Sixty-four slice MDCT coronary angiography provided accurate depiction of anomalous vessel origin and course along with the complex anatomical relation with the adjacent structures. CT can be considered as a first-line imaging method for delineating coronary arterial anomalies.