[Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery. The form in infants]

Twenty-four cases of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery are reported. These cases were collected over 27 years divided into three 9-year periods according to the years of the initial studies. The clinical aspects and diagnostic investigations (notably echocardiography, myocardial radioisotope imaging and various angiographic procedures) are reviewed; aortography seems to be, even now, the best exploratory method. Treatment is analyzed according to the periods of observations. From the earliest cases it may be concluded that ligation proved ineffective in infants and medical treatment often failed. Progressively, medical treatment with digitalis (now better controlled), potassium-sparing diuretics and vasodilators has become more effective. On the other hand, direct reimplantation of the left coronary artery onto the aorta has become the preferred surgical procedure. Among the 8 most recent cases (seen between 1977 and 1986), 4 were cured by medical treatment under the age of 3 and subsequent reimplantation. In the other 4 patients asystolia responded to medical treatment, and these children are now awaiting reimplantation.