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Detection of the "Crossed Aorta Sign" during Echocardiography before Angiography
Laura Massobrio1, Alberto Valbusa2, Giovanni Bertero2
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 6 Viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
Insights
An anomalous origin of the circumflex artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, presenting as the "crossed aorta sign," was diagnosed using echocardiography. This highlights echocardiography
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries are relatively rare but can have significant clinical implications.
- Anomalous origin of the circumflex artery from the right sinus of Valsalva with a retroaortic course is a specific type of coronary anomaly.
- The "crossed aorta sign" is a characteristic finding associated with this anomaly.
Observation:
- A case is presented where an anomalous circumflex artery origin was identified.
- The origin was noted from the right sinus of Valsalva.
- The anomalous vessel exhibited a retroaortic course.
Findings:
- The anomaly was visualized using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a modified apical four-chamber view.
- This specific echocardiographic finding is recognized as the "crossed aorta sign."
- Echocardiography enabled diagnosis prior to coronary angiography.
Implications:
- Advances in echocardiography are enhancing its diagnostic capabilities for coronary artery anomalies.
- Echocardiography may serve as a valuable non-invasive tool for early detection of these conditions.
- This case highlights the potential of echocardiography in identifying complex coronary artery variations.
Abstract:
We report the case of an anomalous circumflex (Cx) origin from the right sinus of Valsalva with retroaortic course observed in a modified apical four-chamber view during transthoracic study (TTE). This finding is known as the "crossed aorta sign." Usually, the diagnosis of this congenital anomaly of coronary circulation is established during coronary angiography. In this case, the diagnosis was performed by echocardiography before angiography. We believe that recent improvements in echocardiography increase the potential of this imaging technology also in the diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies.