The sinister course of an intramural right coronary artery
Deane L S Yim1, Mark C K Hamilton, Robert M R Tulloh
1Bristol Congenital Heart Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Insights
An adolescent
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Anatomical Variations
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Anomalous coronary artery origin is a rare congenital heart defect.
- It can lead to serious symptoms like exertional chest pain or sudden cardiac death.
- Early diagnosis is critical for preventing adverse outcomes.
Abstract:
We report the case of an adolescent who was presented with long-standing exertional symptoms, and was diagnosed with an anomalous right coronary arterial origin arising above the commissural junction between the left and right aortic sinus, with inter-arterial and intramural compression. The precise origin of this lesion outside the aortic sinuses is unusual, and multi-detector computed tomography gave excellent definition and spatial resolution of the anomalous origin and course. It is crucial to have a high index of suspicion of exertional symptoms, as sudden death may be the first manifestation of an anomalous coronary artery.
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