Type R1 Single Coronary Artery Without Obstructive Disease: A Multimodal Imaging Approach

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Anatomical Variants

Background:

• Single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly where one artery supplies the entire heart.
• This condition can manifest as angina pectoris, even without significant coronary artery obstruction.
• Anatomical variations in coronary arteries are increasingly recognized in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of single coronary artery presenting with angina and exertional dyspnea.
• To illustrate the diagnostic utility of multimodal imaging in evaluating coronary artery anomalies.
• To emphasize the importance of considering coronary variants in patients with atypical cardiac symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 73-year-old male with chest pain and dyspnea.
• Utilized computed tomography (CT) and coronary angiography for detailed anatomical assessment.
• Employed medical management to control symptoms and manage cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• The patient was diagnosed with a single coronary artery originating from the right coronary cusp (type R1).
• Multimodal imaging confirmed the absence of flow-limiting lesions in the coronary artery.
• Symptoms were managed effectively through risk factor optimization and medical therapy.

Conclusions:

• Single coronary artery is a clinically relevant anatomical variant that requires accurate diagnosis.
• Multimodal imaging plays a crucial role in the evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery anomalies.
• Appropriate medical management is essential for patients with single coronary artery to mitigate symptoms and cardiovascular risks.