Left Coronary Artery Circumflex Branch Arising From Main Stem of Pulmonary Artery: An Uncommon Anatomical Variation
Aikaterini Giannakopoulou1, Dimosthenis Chrysikos1, Eleftherios Spartalis1,2
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Insights
A rare coronary artery anomaly, where the left circumflex artery originated from the pulmonary artery, was found in a child. This case highlights the importance of considering coronary artery variations during evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Coronary artery anatomy exhibits significant variability.
- Interventricular septal defects can spontaneously resolve.
- Routine cardiological evaluations are crucial, even in asymptomatic patients.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old male with a history of a resolved interventricular septal defect underwent echocardiography for orthopedic surgery evaluation.
- Echocardiography revealed anomalous flows within the interventricular septum and a diastolic flow across the pulmonary valve.
Findings:
- Cardiac catheterization identified a rare coronary artery anomaly: the left circumflex artery arising from the main pulmonary artery.
- Significant stenosis of the anomalous circumflex artery was noted.
- Extensive collateral circulation between the left and right coronary systems was observed.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need to consider anomalous coronary artery origins during cardiac assessments.
- Failure to diagnose such anomalies can lead to severe complications, including sudden cardiac death.
- Early identification and management are vital for pediatric patients with coronary artery variations.
Abstract:
The left circumflex coronary artery anatomy is considered highly variable. Herein, we present a case of a 9-year-old male child with a remarkable medical history of a spontaneously closed interventricular septal defect, without residual regurgitation, who was referred for cardiological evaluation in view of orthopedic surgery. During the preoperative examination, echocardiography was performed, which showed multiple flows in the interventricular septum as well as a diastolic flow at the level of the pulmonary valve. Due to these findings, it was decided to perform a cardiac catheterization. On cardiac catheterization, it was diagnosed an anatomical variation of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery arising from the main stem of the pulmonary artery. Significant stenosis was remarkable, as well as collateral circulation of both the circumflex and the left anterior descending artery with the right coronary artery. The child finally at the age of 11 underwent cardiothoracic surgery. To conclude, during asymptomatic cardiological evaluation, we should always think about the possibility of anatomic variations of the coronary arteries. Missing these types of anomalies may predispose to inadvertent life-threatening complications or sudden death.
More Related Videos
07:04Creation of Two Saccular Elastase-Digested Aneurysms with Different Hemodynamics in One Rabbit
Published on: April 15, 2021
05:41Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Ligation for Ischemia-Reperfusion Research: Model Improvement via Technical Modifications and Quality Control
Published on: December 16, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Thoracic Aorta
Overview of Pulmonary Circulation
The process begins with the right ventricle of the heart pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk. This large vessel extends about 5 centimeters before splitting into the left and right pulmonary arteries. These arteries...
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Overview of Systemic Arteries
Systemic circulation is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and returns deoxygenated blood back to the...
