Giant coronary aneurysm presenting as a cardiac mass on transthoracic echocardiogram

Vivek Mutha1, Muhammad Asrar ul Haq, Nagesh S Anavekar

  • 1The Northern Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

BMJ Case Reports
|March 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

A giant coronary artery aneurysm, a rare condition, was detected in a patient with a history of heart disease and stent placement. This case highlights the utility of echocardiography in identifying such anomalies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Coronary artery aneurysms are uncommon vascular abnormalities.
  • Aneurysms can arise secondary to interventions like stent implantation.

Observation:

  • A 69-year-old male with ischemic heart disease and a prior stent in the right coronary artery (RCA) presented with a mass near the right atrium.
  • Transthoracic echocardiography initially identified the mass, leading to further investigation.

Findings:

  • Transesophageal echocardiography and CT coronary angiography confirmed a giant aneurysm of the RCA, measuring 2.4×2.7 cm.
  • The aneurysm was associated with the previously stented segment of the RCA.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of echocardiography in diagnosing rare cardiovascular conditions.
  • Giant coronary artery aneurysms require careful evaluation and management, especially in patients with prior interventions.

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