Occlusion of left coronary ostium with a rudimentary aortic cusp
Kyoko Hayashida1, Satoru Okumura, Tetsunori Kawase
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kusatsu General Hospital, Shiga, Japan. linda99@mac.com
Insights
A rare congenital heart defect caused exertional angina in a 74-year-old woman by obstructing the left coronary artery ostium. Surgical removal of the rudimentary aortic cusp and valve replacement resolved the angina.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Exertional angina can be caused by coronary artery ostial occlusion.
- Congenital anomalies of the aortic valve can lead to coronary artery compromise.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old woman presented with exertional angina.
- Imaging revealed a rudimentary aortic valve cusp obstructing the left coronary artery ostium.
Findings:
- The rudimentary aortic cusp covered the left coronary aortic sinus, causing ostial occlusion.
- Excision of the cusp and aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve were performed.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare cause of coronary artery ostial occlusion.
- Surgical correction can effectively relieve symptoms and restore coronary blood flow.
Abstract:
A 74-year-old woman with exertional angina was diagnosed with occlusion of the left coronary ostium associated with a rudimentary aortic valve cusp. A transesophageal echocardiogram, a multi-detector computed tomographic scan, and a coronary angiographic scan revealed the rudimentary aortic cusp covering the small left coronary aortic sinus leading to occlusion of the ostium of the left coronary artery, despite the intact coronary arteries. After excision of the rudimentary left coronary cusp, the left coronary ostium appeared intact. An aortic valve replacement with annular enlargement using a bioprosthetic valve was performed. The patient uneventfully recovered without angina.
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