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Updated: Jun 7, 2025

High Frequency Ultrasound for the Analysis of Fetal and Placental Development In Vivo
Published on: November 8, 2018
Untreated ALCAPA diagnosed in gestational ultrasonography
Lam Truong Hoai1, Nguyen Van Thanh2, Nguyen Cong Thanh2
1Cardiovascular Department, Tam Anh Hospital, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
Insights
Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart defect. This case highlights a pregnant patient with ALCAPA, emphasizing early diagnosis and monitoring during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly with high mortality if untreated.
- Untreated ALCAPA poses significant risks during pregnancy, including maternal and fetal mortality.
- Congenital heart disease screening is crucial for early diagnosis and management in women of reproductive age.
Abstract:
ALCAPA is a rare congenital anomaly that presents with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and mitral valve regurgitation. The mortality rate is roughly 90% if the intracoronary collateral isn't significantly augmented. Malignant arrhythmias resulting in sudden death are common, affecting nearly 90% of patients with a mean age of 35 years. Especially during pregnancy, untreated ALCAPA can lead to high mortality and complications. Pregnant women with congenital heart disease have high risks for both themselves and their fetuses. Therefore, screening for congenital heart disease is very important in early diagnosis, counseling, and management. Most women born with congenital heart disease (CHD) will reach reproductive age. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman in her second trimester of pregnancy who presents with ALCAPA, preserved ejection fraction (EF), and mild LV dilation. An uncommon feature, in this case, is the origin of the left main (LM) coronary artery from the posterior to the right of the main pulmonary artery (MPA), which is very close to the ascending aorta, mimicking the normal origin of the LM from the aortic root in 2D transthoracic echocardiography. The patient also has preserved left ventricular function with endocardial fibroelastosis. Echocardiography should be performed every 4 weeks to assess the progression of the disease during pregnancy.

