Anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery arising from the right coronary artery: a case report
Ryaan El-Andari1, Qunjun Duan1, Angela Neufeld2
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada.
Insights
Congenital anomalous coronary artery origins are rare. A case of a left anterior descending artery arising from the right coronary artery highlights the importance of careful planning for patients with coronary artery disease and unusual coronary anatomy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Congenital anomalous coronary artery origins (ACAO) affect 0.24-1.6% of the population.
- Common ACAOs include the left circumflex from the right coronary artery (RCA) or the left main coronary artery originating from the right coronary sinus.
- A rare, less-described anomaly is the left anterior descending (LAD) artery arising from the RCA.
Abstract:
Congenital anomalous coronary artery origins are rare, with a prevalence of 0.24-1.6%. Common configurations include left circumflex arising from the right coronary (RCA), left main coronary arising from the right coronary sinus and independent ostia for the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex. One rare configuration that is not well described is the LAD arising from the RCA. A 68-year-old patient presented with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and was found to have a patent LAD arising from the RCA. In patients presenting with coronary artery disease and anomalous coronary anatomy, careful preoperative planning and intraoperative attention to patient anatomy is essential in identifying high-risk coronary anomalies and providing the correct and optimal treatments for these patients.
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...
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations


