Coronary Artery Anomalies in Animals

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Comparative Cardiovascular Anatomy
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are recognized in human medicine but underreported in veterinary fields.
• While documented in dogs, hamsters, and cows, CAAs require further investigation in domesticated species.
• Anomalous coronary artery origin with a prepulmonary course in dogs is a known, clinically significant defect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review coronary artery development, anatomy, and known anomalies in domesticated animals.
• To propose a categorization scheme for CAAs based on clinical significance (major vs. minor).
• To present four novel canine cases of anomalous coronary artery origin and two cases of coronary arterial fistulae.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of coronary artery development, anatomy, and reported anomalies in domesticated species.
• Descriptive analysis of four novel canine cases with anomalous coronary artery origin.
• Description of two additional cases involving coronary arterial fistulae in a llama and a dog.

Main Results:

• Detailed descriptions of four unique canine coronary artery anomalies, including variations in ostial origin and vessel course.
• Documentation of a coronary cameral fistula in a llama and a coronary artery aneurysm with fistulation in a dog.
• The proposed categorization scheme aims to classify CAAs by clinical impact.

Conclusions:

• Novel cases highlight the diversity and complexity of CAAs in dogs.
• Increased awareness and understanding of these anomalies are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management in veterinary medicine.
• Further research and reporting are needed to fully characterize CAAs across domesticated species.