Anomalous coronary artery from the wrong sinus in a 15-year-old boy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Congenital coronary artery anomalies (CAA) are a significant risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children and young adults, often occurring during physical exertion.
• Timely diagnosis of CAA is critical for surgical intervention, yet antemortem identification is challenging due to non-specific findings in routine tests.

Observation:

• A 15-year-old male experienced collapse during exercise, attributed to ventricular fibrillation.
• Initial investigations did not reveal coronary abnormalities.

Findings:

• Echocardiography successfully visualized congenital coronary anomalies in the patient.
• Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) confirmed the echocardiographic findings of CAA.
• The study highlights echocardiography's capability in diagnosing CAA when specific diagnostic hallmarks are considered.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of echocardiography in the diagnosis of congenital coronary artery anomalies, even when initial assessments are inconclusive.
• Improved diagnostic accuracy for CAA can lead to earlier surgical treatment, potentially preventing sudden cardiac death in young individuals.
• Raising awareness among clinicians about the diagnostic utility of echocardiography for CAA is crucial for improving patient outcomes.