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Updated: Nov 14, 2025

3D Whole-heart Myocardial Tissue Analysis
Published on: April 12, 2017
The first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands: MuSCAT
C J Koppel1, B W Driesen2, R J de Winter3
1Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Centre for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study establishes a structured pathway for diagnosing and treating anomalous coronary arteries, particularly those with an interarterial course. It aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for managing these complex cardiac conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Current guidelines for coronary anomalies lack a diagnostic gold standard and consensus on treatment strategies.
- Patients with anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course present particular management challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop evidence-substantiated recommendations for the diagnostic work-up, treatment, and follow-up of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.
- To establish a structured, multicenter clinical care pathway for managing ACAOS.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicenter study involving six Dutch centers established a clinical care pathway for ACAOS.
- Patients undergo comprehensive work-up including CT angiography, ischemia detection, echocardiography, and coronary angiography with intracoronary measurements.
- Follow-up includes CT angiography, ischemia detection, and quality-of-life questionnaires; a registry is maintained for other coronary anomalies.
Main Results:
- Primary outcomes include cardiac death, ACAOS-attributable myocardial ischemia, and re-intervention rates.
- The study evaluates the impact of diagnostic examinations on treatment choices.
- Long-term follow-up data will be collected to assess outcomes.
Conclusions:
- There is a lack of robust evidence for managing coronary anomalies, especially interarterial ACAOS.
- A structured, multicenter care pathway is being implemented to provide an evidence-based strategy for diagnosis and treatment.
- This approach aims to improve the management of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.
Background:
Current guidelines on coronary anomalies are primarily based on expert consensus and a limited number of trials. A gold standard for diagnosis and a consensus on the treatment strategy in this patient group are lacking, especially for patients with an anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course.
Aim:
To provide evidence-substantiated recommendations for diagnostic work-up, treatment and follow-up of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.
Methods:
A clinical care pathway for patients with ACAOS was established by six Dutch centres. Prospectively included patients undergo work-up according to protocol using computed tomography (CT) angiography, ischaemia detection, echocardiography and coronary angiography with intracoronary measurements to assess anatomical and physiological characteristics of the ACAOS. Surgical and functional follow-up results are evaluated by CT angiography, ischaemia detection and a quality-of-life questionnaire. Patient inclusion for the first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands started in 2020 and will continue for at least 3 years with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. For patients with a right or left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery and coronary arteriovenous fistulas a registry is maintained.
Results:
Primary outcomes are: (cardiac) death, myocardial ischaemia attributable to the ACAOS, re-intervention after surgery and intervention after initially conservative treatment. The influence of work-up examinations on treatment choice is also evaluated.
Conclusions:
Structural evidence for the appropriate management of patients with coronary anomalies, especially (interarterial) ACAOS, is lacking. By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group.
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