Anomalous great cardiac vein draining into the right atrium combined with a single left coronary artery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Anatomy
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiac Imaging

Background:

• The coronary venous system receives less attention than the arterial system in cardiac literature.
• Anatomical variations in coronary vessels can have significant clinical implications.
• Understanding rare cardiac anomalies is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

• A rare case of a combined anomaly involving the coronary artery and the great cardiac vein (GCV) was identified.
• The patient presented with an anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) originating from the left coronary artery.
• The GCV demonstrated an unusual drainage pattern, emptying directly into the right atrium.

Findings:

• The anomalous RCA and GCV followed parallel courses along the anterior aspect of the right ventricular outflow tract.
• This anatomical configuration represents a rare combined coronary artery and venous anomaly.
• Cardiac computed tomography played a key role in visualizing and understanding this complex anomaly.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare coronary vascular anomalies.
• Accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging like cardiac CT is vital for patient management.
• Further research into coronary venous system variations may reveal more about their clinical significance.