Single coronary artery anomaly: Report of an extremely rare variation
Arash Gholoobi1, Hoorak Poorzand1
1Atherosclerosis Prevention Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Insights
A rare single coronary artery anomaly presented with unstable angina. Treatment involved stenting the anomalous right coronary artery, with the patient remaining symptom-free, suggesting the anomaly itself doesn't accelerate atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Coronary artery anomalies are rare congenital conditions.
- Unstable angina necessitates thorough coronary evaluation.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old male presented with unstable angina.
- Coronary angiography revealed a single coronary artery arising from the left sinus of Valsalva.
- This artery trifurcated into the left anterior descending, left circumflex, and an anomalous right coronary artery with a retroaortic course.
Findings:
- The anomalous right coronary artery exhibited significant proximal tubular stenosis.
- Stenting of the stenotic segment was performed.
- Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the coronary anomaly and its retroaortic path.
- The patient was asymptomatic at one-year follow-up.
Implications:
- This specific coronary anomaly does not appear to predispose to accelerated atherosclerosis.
- Premature atherosclerosis in this case was likely linked to lifestyle factors rather than the congenital anomaly.
- Management of coronary artery anomalies requires individualized assessment.
Abstract:
A 43-year-old man presented with unstable angina. Coronary angiography revealed a single coronary artery originating from the left sinus of Valsalva, giving rise to a left main stem trifurcating to the left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and an anomalous right coronary artery. The anomalous right coronary artery had a retroaortic course and significant proximal tubular stenosis which was stented. The coronary anomaly and abnormal course was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. The patient was symptom-free at one-year follow-up. This anomaly does not predispose to accelerated atherosclerosis, and the premature atherosclerosis in our patient was probably due an unhealthy lifestyle.
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