Rupture of right coronary artery aneurysm into the right atrium
British Heart Journal
|August 1, 1978
Insights
A congenital coronary artery aneurysm ruptured into the right atrium, causing heart failure and myocardial infarction in a 63-year-old man. Surgical resection of the aneurysm led to a full recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- A 63-year-old male presented with acute congestive heart failure.
- A continuous murmur was detected upon physical examination.
- The patient had a history of inferior myocardial infarction two years prior, with no murmurs noted at that time.
Observation:
- Coronary angiography revealed a right coronary artery aneurysm.
- The aneurysm was found to be in direct communication with the right atrium.
- The distal portion of the right coronary artery was occluded.
Findings:
- The patient underwent surgical resection of the right coronary artery aneurysm.
- Post-operative recovery was uneventful, and the patient remains well.
Implications:
- This case suggests a congenital origin for the coronary artery aneurysm.
- The aneurysm is proposed as the underlying cause of both the myocardial infarction and the subsequent rupture into the right atrium.
- Successful surgical management highlights the importance of identifying and treating such rare vascular anomalies.
Abstract:
A 63-year-old man presented with acute congestive heart failure and was found to have a continuous murmur. Two years earlier, he had an inferior myocardial infarct, when no murmurs were heard. Angiography showed a right coronary artery aneurysm communicating with the right atrium. The distal vessel was occluded. The aneurysm was resected and the patient remains well. It is proposed that this was a congenital aneurysm which led firstly to the myocardial infarct and finally ruptured into the right atrium.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Chambers of the Heart
The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
01:21Coronary Circulation
The heart, an organ critical to survival, gets nourishment not from the blood it pumps but from a separate circulation system known as coronary circulation. This is the shortest circulation in the body and is responsible for supplying the heart with the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
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...
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...
01:10The Arch of Aorta
The coronary arteries, originating from the ascending aorta, bifurcate from two sinuses located within the ascending aorta. Positioned just above the aortic semilunar valve, these sinuses house essential aortic baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, crucial for maintaining cardiac function. The left coronary artery and the right coronary artery branch off from the left posterior and anterior aortic sinuses, respectively.
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
01:15Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
IntroductionAortic regurgitation is characterized by the backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole and arises from the improper closure of the aortic valve. This condition results in left ventricular volume overload and can stem from both acute and chronic etiologies, each contributing uniquely to the disease's progression and symptomatology.Acute and Chronic CausesAcute aortic regurgitation often results from events that suddenly impair the integrity of the...
01:30Aneurysm I: Introduction
An aortic aneurysm is a localized outpouching or dilation at a weak point in the artery wall. It may involve different parts of the aorta, such as the abdominal aorta, aortic arch, or thoracic aorta.Etiological factorsSeveral disorders are associated with aortic aneurysms.Congenital causes, such as primary connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome, impact the integrity and strength of connective tissues, notably affecting the aorta. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that specifically...