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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.
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.
Abstract:
A 69-year-old man with a history of ischaemic heart disease and previous stent implantation in the right coronary artery (RCA) was found to have a large well-encapsulated mass attached to the right atrium on a routine transthoracic echocardiogram. Subsequent investigations including transoesophageal echocardiography and CT coronary angiogram suggested an RCA aneurysm formation in relation to the prior stented segment, further confirming on coronary angiogram a large ectatic vessel with a giant aneurysm measuring 2.4×2.7 cm. Giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare and here we present interesting images of a case initially picked up on transthoracic echocardiography.
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