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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Acute myocardial infarction with isolated congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
Jeremy Zimmermann1, J Ryan Altman1, D Scott Gantt1
1Baylor Scott & White Health and Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas.
Insights
This case highlights a rare instance of acute coronary syndrome in a 43-year-old man, revealing unusual coronary anatomy and isolated corrected transposition of the great arteries. The patient required percutaneous coronary intervention and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is rarely associated with congenital cardiac abnormalities.
- Adults with congenital heart disease are an increasing population requiring cardiovascular care.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old male presented with severe chest pain, indicative of ACS.
- Coronary angiography revealed anomalous coronary origins and a large, occluded vessel.
- Echocardiography and CT angiography diagnosed isolated corrected transposition of the great arteries with ventricular dysfunction.
Findings:
- Successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed on the occluded anomalous coronary artery.
- The patient experienced recurrent ventricular tachycardia, managed with antiarrhythmic drugs and a defibrillator.
- Isolated corrected transposition of the great arteries was confirmed, presenting with a dilated systemic ventricle and reduced ejection fraction (30%).
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare congenital heart anomalies in adult ACS presentations.
- Increased prevalence of adult congenital heart disease may lead to more frequent encounters with such complex cases.
- Multimodality imaging and intervention are crucial for managing ACS in patients with complex congenital heart disease.
Abstract:
Congenital cardiac abnormalities diagnosed at the time of acute coronary syndrome are rare. A 43-year-old man presented to the emergency department complaining of recurring, severe chest pain. Subsequent emergent coronary angiography demonstrated unusual coronary anatomy: 1) one small caliber bifurcating vessel originating from the right sinus of Valsalva; 2) one very large vessel arising from the posterior sinus; and 3) no coronary artery from the normal left sinus of Valsalva. The large vessel from the posterior sinus was totally occluded in its midportion and was treated with intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention. Further diagnostic workup, including two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram and computed tomographic coronary angiography, demonstrated isolated corrected transposition of the great arteries with a dilated systemic ventricle and systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30%. The patient's clinical course was complicated by recurrent nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, treated with medical therapy and a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator. This case is an example of a common clinical presentation with a very uncommon congenital heart disorder. Similar cases may become more frequent as the number of adult congenital heart patients increases in the population.
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