[Coronary artery anomalies]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Context:

• Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are uncommon but significant, representing the second leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
• Despite their rarity, CAAs pose a critical health risk, necessitating accurate and accessible diagnostic methods.
• Advancements in noninvasive imaging, such as CT angiography and MRI, have improved the detection and characterization of CAAs.

Purpose:

• To determine the incidence of CAAs in a Portuguese population using cardiac CT angiography.
• To review current literature on CAAs, including diagnostic strategies, screening, treatment, and prognosis.
• To advocate for a national cardiac CT angiography registry to enhance data on CAAs and noninvasive cardiac imaging in Portugal.

Summary:

• A retrospective study analyzed 360 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac CT angiography.
• The incidence of CAAs in the studied population was found to be 2.69%.
• Demographic, clinical, and angiographic data were collected and analyzed.

Impact:

• The findings contribute to understanding the prevalence of CAAs in a specific population.
• Establishing a national registry could significantly improve data collection and knowledge regarding CAAs and cardiac imaging.
• This study underscores the importance of noninvasive imaging techniques in diagnosing potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions.