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Published on: August 28, 2018
A case of anomalous coronary artery origin: The role of computerised tomography
Jeeva John1, John H Miller1, Stephen J Leslie2
1Department of Radiology, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, UK.
Insights
Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) effectively assessed anomalous coronary arteries in a patient with unstable angina. This imaging technique can potentially obviate the need for invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Interventional Cardiology
- Radiology
Background:
- Anomalous coronary arteries can present with diverse clinical manifestations, including unstable angina.
- Accurate anatomical assessment is crucial for guiding management strategies.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old woman with unstable angina underwent both invasive coronary angiography and CT coronary angiography.
- Invasive coronary angiography revealed aberrant coronary arteries originating from separate ostia in the right coronary cusp.
Findings:
- CT coronary angiography provided detailed visualization of the aberrant coronary arteries.
- The precise course of these anomalous vessels relative to surrounding cardiovascular structures was confirmed by CTCA.
Implications:
- CT coronary angiography demonstrates significant utility in evaluating complex coronary artery anomalies.
- Early utilization of CTCA may reduce the necessity for invasive coronary angiography, enhancing patient safety and potentially lowering healthcare costs.
Objective:
To illustrate the utility of CT coronary angiography in the assessment of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.
Methods:
A 65-year-old woman who presented with a clinical history of unstable angina was investigated with both computerised tomography and invasive coronary angiography.
Results:
Coronary angiography demonstrated aberrant coronary arteries all arising from separate ostia from the right coronary cusp. Computerised tomography coronary angiography was required to confirm the course of the aberrant coronary arteries in relation to other cardiovascular structures.
Conclusions:
This case illustrates the important role of computerised tomography coronary angiography and that early use might avoid the need for invasive coronary angiography.
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