A case of double right coronary artery with separate ostium

Jalal Kheirkhah1, Ali Habibifar1, Hassan Moladoust1

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Center, Heshmat Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

Insights

A rare duplicated right coronary artery caused myocardial ischemia in a diabetic patient. This coronary artery anomaly highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and management of cardiac conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are uncommon, affecting 1-5% of the population.
  • Angiography is the primary diagnostic tool for identifying CAAs, often revealing anomalies in origin or distribution.

Observation:

  • A 51-year-old diabetic woman presented with chest pain and dyspnea, indicative of myocardial ischemia.
  • Electrocardiography and echocardiography showed signs of left ventricular dysfunction and global hypokinesia.
  • Coronary angiography revealed a rare duplicated right coronary artery with a separate ostium and three-vessel disease.

Findings:

  • The duplicated right coronary artery was identified as the cause of myocardial ischemia.
  • Despite the anomaly, the patient refused coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for coronary artery anomalies to cause significant ischemic events.
  • Accurate diagnosis of CAAs is crucial for appropriate patient management and treatment strategies.
  • Management may involve surgical intervention or medical therapy with anti-ischemic drugs.

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