Twin left circumflex arteries in a patient undergoing aortic valve replacement

A Y Andreou1, S Theodorou, C Makrides

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Limassol General Hospital, Limassol, Pano Polemidia, Limassol, Cyprus. y.andreas@yahoo.com.

Insights

A rare coronary anomaly, bilaterally arising twin left circumflex (LCx) arteries, was identified in a patient with severe aortic valve stenosis. Preoperative recognition is crucial for patients undergoing aortic valve surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis necessitates surgical intervention.
  • Coronary artery anomalies can complicate cardiac procedures.
  • Accurate preoperative anatomical assessment is vital for surgical planning.

Observation:

  • A rare coronary anomaly, bilaterally arising twin left circumflex (LCx) arteries, was identified preoperatively.
  • One LCx artery originated from the left main coronary artery.
  • The second LCx artery arose from the right aortic sinus with a retroaortic course.

Findings:

  • This specific pattern represents a unique case of twin LCx arteries, with only 7 previously reported instances in English literature.
  • The anomaly was discovered during coronary angiography in a patient with severe aortic valve stenosis.
  • The case highlights the importance of detailed coronary imaging before aortic valve surgery.

Implications:

  • Preoperative identification of this rare coronary anomaly is essential for safe and effective aortic valve surgery.
  • Understanding this anomaly can help surgeons anticipate and manage potential complications.
  • Simple diagnostic clues for identifying this anomaly during preoperative assessment are discussed.

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