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.

Cureus
|June 28, 2021
PubMed

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.

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