An Extremely Rare Case of Anomalous Left Main Coronary Artery Originating From Single Right Coronary Ostium Managed
Hina Akbar1,2, Sobia Akbar3, Sana Akbar4
1Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.
Insights
Anomalous coronary artery origin, though rare, presents diagnostic and management challenges. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for complex coronary artery disease in patients with congenital anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Anomalies of coronary artery origin are rare and pose diagnostic and management difficulties.
- Risk of adverse outcomes increases with age and atherosclerosis in patients with anomalous coronary arteries.
- A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is crucial for managing these complex cases.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old female presented with chest pain, diaphoresis, and dizziness.
- Initial EKG and echocardiogram showed left axis deviation and wall motion abnormalities.
- Diagnostic cardiac catheterization revealed anomalous left main coronary artery from a single right coronary ostium.
Findings:
- Significant multi-vessel coronary artery disease involving the distal left main, LAD, circumflex, and right coronary arteries.
- The patient had a right dominant system with an absent left coronary cusp.
- High Syntax score and acceptable STS risk indicated surgical revascularization.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of anomalous coronary anatomy is vital for appropriate treatment planning.
- A Heart Team approach is essential for optimizing revascularization strategies in complex cases.
- Surgical revascularization was recommended for this patient with combined coronary anomaly and severe atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Anomalies of coronary artery origin are rare, difficult to diagnose using conventional testing methods and extremely challenging to eventually manage once diagnosed. The risk of adverse outcomes increases as such patients age and develop atherosclerosis in such vessels. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach may be required to best manage such difficult cases. We present a case of a 65-year-old female with symptoms of chest pain concerning for unstable angina. She also complained of occasional diaphoresis and dizziness. Physical examination revealed a regular heart rhythm with no vascular bruits. An electrocardiogram (EKG) only showed normal sinus rhythm and left axis deviation. Non-invasive testing included an echocardiogram, which showed multiple wall motion abnormalities. A diagnostic cardiac catheterization via right radial artery approach was performed to delineate her coronary anatomy and rule out ischemic etiology. This led to diagnosis of anomalous coronary anatomy with an anomalous left main coronary artery from single right coronary ostium. Furthermore, it showed significant obstructive multi-vessel coronary artery disease involving distal left main artery, proximal left anterior descending artery, left circumflex and right coronary arteries. The patient had a right dominant system with absent left coronary cusp. Percutaneous vs surgical revascularization options were considered. Given high Syntax score and acceptable Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk, Heart Team approach was pursued and the patient was referred for multi-vessel surgical revascularization.
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