Sudden death due to anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk is a rare congenital anomaly of the cardiovascular system. Most patients with this condition die during the first year of life without proper treatment. In rare instances a patient will suvive to his teens and adulthood. However, in most of these cases minor symptoms are present such as a feeling of heaviness of the lower chest, mild chest pain, or some electrocardiographic changes. A sudden unexpected death because of this anomaly, in a previously healthy athletic 22 year old, is reported.