Angiographic, electrocardiographic and surgical features of single coronary artery producing myocardial ischaemia

A O Molajo1, U R Nair, K Hearn

  • 1Regional Cardiothoracic Centre, Wythenshase Hospital, Manchester, England.

Insights

A rare case of a single coronary artery without stenosis presented with angina and syncope. Surgical bypass grafting successfully treated the patient, resolving symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries are rare but can lead to significant cardiovascular events.
  • A single coronary artery is an uncommon anomaly, and its association with symptoms like angina and syncope requires thorough investigation.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with symptoms of angina and syncope.
  • Diagnostic workup revealed an unstenosed single coronary artery, a rare anatomical variation.
  • Ambulatory electrocardiography, angiography, and stress testing were performed to evaluate the patient's condition.

Findings:

  • The patient had an unstenosed single coronary artery.
  • Surgical findings confirmed the anatomical anomaly.
  • Stress testing before and after bypass grafting demonstrated the effectiveness of the intervention.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering rare coronary artery anomalies in the differential diagnosis of angina and syncope.
  • Surgical revascularization, such as bypass grafting, can be a viable treatment option for symptomatic patients with single coronary artery anomalies.
  • Further research into the long-term outcomes of patients with single coronary artery is warranted.

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