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Single coronary artery: a case report
R Fiorilli1, G Argento, P Lisanti
1Divisione di Cardiologia Emodinamica, Azienda Ospedaliera San Carlo, Potenza.
Insights
A rare single coronary artery anomaly was found in a patient with prior myocardial infarction. Transesophageal echocardiography aided in assessing the anomalous left main coronary artery course.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Anatomical Variations
Background:
- Coronary artery anomalies are rare congenital conditions that can predispose individuals to myocardial infarction.
- Single coronary artery is a rare anomaly where both ventricles are supplied by a single artery arising from one sinus of Valsalva.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old woman with a history of myocardial infarction presented with a right-type single coronary artery.
- Coronary angiography revealed the anomalous artery originated from the right sinus of Valsalva without obstructive lesions.
Findings:
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provided complementary information to coronary angiography.
- TEE effectively assessed the retroaortic course of the anomalous left main coronary artery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare coronary artery anomalies in patients with ischemic heart disease.
- Transesophageal echocardiography can be a valuable tool in delineating the complex anatomy of anomalous coronary arteries.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of cardiovascular conditions.
Abstract:
We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with a previous myocardial infarction, in whom coronary angiography showed a right-type single coronary artery (arising from a single ostium in the right sinus of Valsalva) without associated obstructive lesions. We have demonstrated that the transesophageal echocardiogram was complementary to angiography in the assessment of retroaortic course of the anomalous left main coronary artery.