Multimodality Imaging in Individuals With Anomalous Coronary Arteries

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Anomalous coronary arteries (ACA) are congenital heart defects involving abnormal coronary artery origins or courses.
• While often asymptomatic, certain ACA variants pose risks for symptoms and adverse cardiac events.
• Current knowledge gaps exist regarding ACA prevalence, pathophysiology, sudden cardiac death risk, and optimal management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current challenges and future perspectives in the assessment and management of anomalous coronary arteries.
• To emphasize the critical role of noninvasive multimodality imaging in evaluating patients with ACA.
• To address the lack of established guidelines for ACA diagnosis, sport restriction, and treatment across all age groups.

Main Methods:

• This is a state-of-the-art review.
• Focuses on noninvasive multimodality cardiac imaging techniques.
• Synthesizes current literature on anomalous coronary arteries.

Main Results:

• Anomalous coronary arteries (ACA) are congenital conditions with varied clinical significance.
• Optimal assessment and treatment strategies for ACA subtypes remain largely undefined.
• Noninvasive imaging is crucial for ACA evaluation and guiding treatment decisions.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for improved understanding and standardized guidelines for anomalous coronary arteries (ACA).
• Noninvasive multimodality imaging offers a promising approach for assessing ACA and informing clinical management.
• Further research is needed to elucidate ACA pathophysiology, risks, and evidence-based treatment protocols.