Intra-atrial Course of Right Coronary Artery: A Rare Anomaly Detected on Computed Tomography
Archita Mahajan1, Mansi Verma1, Sumala Kapila1
1Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, India.
Insights
A rare case of atypical chest pain revealed an unusual right coronary artery (RCA) path within the heart's atrium. Recognizing this anatomical variation is crucial to prevent fatal surgical complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Anatomical Variations
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Atypical chest pain can indicate various cardiac conditions.
- Anatomical variations of coronary arteries are uncommon but clinically significant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of intracavitary right coronary artery.
- To highlight the clinical importance of identifying this anomaly.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 59-year-old male patient.
- Diagnostic imaging using computed tomography (CT).
Main Results:
- Computed tomography revealed an intracavitary course of the right coronary artery.
- The patient presented with intermittent atypical chest pain.
Conclusions:
- Intracavitary course of the right coronary artery is a rare finding.
- Accurate identification is vital to avoid iatrogenic injury during cardiac procedures.
Abstract:
We describe a case of a 59-year-old male who presented with intermittent episodes of atypical chest pain where computed tomography revealed intracavitary course of right coronary artery.The recognition of intra-atrial course of RCA is important as it can predispose patients to inadvertent iatrogenic injuries during surgical or endovascular procedures that can prove catastrophic, even fatal.
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