Complete unroofing of the intramural coronary artery for anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery: The role of commissural resuspension?

Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery in Pediatric Patients

Purpose of Review

We present a contemporary approach to risk assessment and management of patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA).

Recent Findings

Anomalous left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus (L-AAOCA) with interarterial course carries a high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD); therefore, current guidelines recommend exercise restriction and surgical intervention. Recent data in intraseptal and juxtacommissural L-AAOCA showed inducible perfusion abnormalities, leading to consideration of surgical intervention. Anomalous right coronary artery from the left aortic sinus (R-AAOCA) carries a much lower risk and stress perfusion imaging is helpful in identifying patients with inducible ischemia. Perfusion abnormalities resolve following successful surgical intervention of AAOCA. Computational modeling techniques identifying risk features shows promise in the evaluation of AAOCA.

Summary

Stress perfusion imaging is helpful in assessing AAOCA upon presentation and following surgical intervention. Computational modeling has potential in bridging knowledge gaps in AAOCA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40124-024-00317-7.

Anomalous Coronary Arteries: A State-of-the-Art Approach

Congenital coronary anomalies are not an infrequent occurrence and their clinical presentation typically occurs during early years, though may be manifested only in adulthood. In the setting of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery, this is particularly concerning as it inflicts sudden loss of healthy young lives. Risk stratification remains a challenge and so does the best management decision-making in these patients, particularly if asymptomatic. Standardized approach to evaluation and management, with careful data collection and collaboration among centers, will likely impact future outcomes in this patient population, thus allowing for exercise participation and healthier lives.

Anomalous Coronary Arteries: A State-of-the-Art Approach

Congenital coronary anomalies are not an infrequent occurrence and their clinical presentation typically occurs during early years, though may be manifested only in adulthood. In the setting of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery, this is particularly concerning as it inflicts sudden loss of healthy young lives. Risk stratification remains a challenge and so does the best management decision-making in these patients, particularly if asymptomatic. Standardized approach to evaluation and management, with careful data collection and collaboration among centers, will likely impact future outcomes in this patient population, thus allowing for exercise participation and healthier lives.

Anomalous Aortic Origin of Coronary Arteries in Children: Postoperative High-risk Anatomic Features

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess postoperative presumed high-risk anatomic features (HRAFs) by using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) after surgical unroofing vs transection and reimplantation (TAR) if unroofing was thought to provide unsatisfactory results.

METHODS

The study included 62 children with postoperative CTA performed at a median of 3 months (interquartile range, 3-4 months) after unroofing (n = 45) and TAR (n = 17). HRAFs included slitlike ostium, intramural course, acute angle takeoff (<45^o), interarterial course, proximal stenosis >50%, or course through a thickened intercoronary pillar.

RESULTS

Median age at surgery was 13.8 years (interquartile range, 10.5-15.8 years). None of the patients had a slitlike ostium or an intramural course on postoperative CTA. Acute takeoff was seen in 100% after unroofing and in 2 of 17 (12%) after TAR (P < .001). After unroofing, the interarterial course improved to 35 of 45 (78%) from 43 of 45 (96%) (P = .003), and a thickened intercoronary pillar improved to 10 of 45 (22%) from 22 of 45 (49%) (P = .0001), compared with none seen after TAR. Preoperative intramural length <5 mm was associated with a postoperative thickened intercoronary pillar in right AAOCA after unroofing (P = .0004). Severe coronary stenosis occurred in 2 of 17 (12%) after TAR, and both patients needed urgent revision procedures. All patients except 2 (97%) returned to exercise activities at a median follow-up of 4.9 years (range, 0.6-9.2 years).

CONCLUSIONS

The slitlike ostium and intramural course resolved in all patients. Residual acute angle takeoff, an interarterial course, and mild coronary narrowing related to a thickened intercoronary pillar were common after unroofing. TAR allows resolution of all HRAFs, although severe narrowing requiring surgical revision happened only in TAR. Long-term studies are needed to understand the clinical significance of these residual presumed HRAFs.

Decision making in anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery

INTRODUCTION

There are many uncertainties surrounding anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) including the pathophysiology of sudden cardiac death, how to best risk stratify patients, how to best evaluate patients, who would benefit from exercise restriction, who should undergo surgical intervention, and which operation to perform.

AREAS COVERED

The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive but succinct overview of AAOCA to help clinicians with the difficult task of navigating optimal evaluation and treatment of an individual patient with AAOCA.

EXPERT OPINION

Beginning in year 2012, some of our authors proposed an integrated, multi-disciplinary working group which has become the standard management strategy for patients diagnosed with AAOCA. A multi-disciplinary team with a focus on shared decision-making with the patients/families is likely necessary to optimize outcomes. Long-term follow-up and research are needed to improve our understanding of AAOCA.

Toward More Granular Guidelines in AAOCA: Associating Anatomical Details With Specific Surgical Strategies

Patients with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) require imaging to clarify the multiple potential anatomic sites of obstruction (fixed or dynamic). Once repaired, the pathway of blood to the myocardium must not encounter: (1) intrinsic ostial stenosis, (2) obstruction from compression or distortion near the commissure or the intercoronary pillar, (3) stenosis where the artery exits the aortic wall (due to an acutely angled "take-off"), (4) compression due to a pathway between the great vessels, (5) stenosis or compression along an intramural course, or (6) compression due to an intramuscular (intraseptal/intraconal) course. Detailed anatomic evaluation of each of these locations allows the surgeon to select an appropriate repair strategy, and each of these abnormal anatomic features should be "matched" with a particular surgical correction. We speculate that the most common surgical repair, unroofing with or without tacking, is often inadequate, as in isolation, it may not allow for correction with a large orifice from the appropriate sinus, without an interarterial course. While the evidence base is insufficient to call these recommendations formal guidelines, these recommendations should serve as a basis for further validity testing, and ultimate evolution to more granular guidelines on AAOCA management.

Outcomes of a protocolized approach for surgical unroofing of intramural anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery in children and adults

OBJECTIVE

Management of anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries has been variable, and limited data are available on early and late outcomes.

METHODS

We report a single institution's experience with a protocolized approach to 148 consecutive patients who underwent surgical unroofing of intramural anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries (June 2003 to December 2020). The management algorithm included preoperative and postoperative cross-sectional and echocardiographic imaging, exercise testing, and a standardized operative technique.

RESULTS

The median age of the cohort was 44.4 years (range, 4 months to 83 years); 130 patients had an anomalous right coronary artery, and 19 patients had an anomalous left coronary artery. Surgical unroofing was an isolated procedure in 118 patients (80%) and a concomitant procedure in 30 patients (20.3%). There were 2 (1%) early deaths; both were reoperations for aortic root or valve replacement. Over a median follow-up of 9.5 (interquartile range, 5-12.3) years, there were 5 late deaths, 3 due to noncardiac causes and 2 due to unknown cause. Late survival after anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries repair at 10 and 15 years was 94.5% and 94.5%, respectively. There were no early or late deaths in the pediatric cohort with a median follow-up of 10.9 years (interquartile range, 6.9-12.1). At a median clinical follow-up of 3.9 years (interquartile range, 1.1-9.5), 36 patients had chest pain but none with evidence of ischemia related to the unroofing.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical unroofing of anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries can be performed safely with low early mortality, even in the setting of concomitant procedures. Late survival is excellent, with the vast majority being symptom free.

Therapeutic Management of Anomalous Coronary Arteries Originating From the Opposite Sinus of Valsalva: Current Evidence, Proposed Approach, and the Unknowing

Anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) are a challenge because of their various anatomic and clinical presentation. Although the prevalence is low, the absolute numbers of detected ACAOS are increasing because of the growing use of noninvasive anatomical imaging for ruling out coronary artery disease. As evidence-based guidelines are lacking, treating physicians are left in uncertainty for the optimal management of such patients. The sole presence of ACAOS does not justify surgical correction, and therefore a thorough anatomic and hemodynamic assessment is warranted. Invasive and noninvasive multimodality imaging provides information to the clinical question whether the presence of ACAOS is an innocent coincidental finding, is responsible for the patient's symptoms, or even might be a risk for sudden cardiac death. Based on recent clinical data, focusing on the pathophysiology of patients with ACAOS, myocardial ischemia is dependent on both the extent of fixed and dynamic components, represented by anatomic high-risk features. These varying combinations should be considered individually in the decision making for the different therapeutic options. This state-of-the-art review focuses on the advantages and limitations of the common contemporary surgical, interventional, and medical therapy with regard to the anatomy and pathophysiology of ACAOS. Further, we propose a therapeutic management algorithm based on current evidence on multimodality invasive and noninvasive imaging findings and highlight remaining gaps of knowledge.

Surgery for Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery (AAOCA) in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to assess the outcomes of surgery for the anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery in children and young adults (<30 years). Thirteen publications were selected, including a total of 384 patients. Unroofing of the intramural segment was adopted in 92% (95% CI: 81%-98%) of cases, with pooled early and late mortality of 0% (95% CI: 0%-0.3%) and 0.1% (95% CI: 0%-1%), respectively. Reoperation for aortic regurgitation was anecdotal. Surgical management of anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries can be achieved with excellent results in pediatric patients, but concerns remain about the durability of surgery.

Anomalous aortic origin of the left coronary artery: A rare case of an origin from the noncoronary sinus

BACKGROUND

Anomalous aortic origin of the coronary artery (AAOCA) refers to a congenital abnormality of the origin and/or course of a coronary artery that arises from the aorta. It can be classified according to the sinus from which the coronary artery arises. The most common type is an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein, we report a 7-year-old male that was diagnosed with AAOCA. Although the patient had not complained of obvious symptoms before the onset, echocardiography showed that the left coronary artery originated from the noncoronary sinus at an anatomical location.

CONCLUSION

AAOCA is a rare congenital disease that often causes a sudden death in young athletes. Originating from the noncoronary sinus at the level of the sinotubular junction in the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery is even more rare which is presented in this case. Surgical intervention should be actively performed if the patient has symptoms or if the anatomy is complex.

Tetralogy of fallot in addition to anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery in a 1-year-old boy: a case report

Background

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare congenital heart disease, characterized by the coronary artery inappropriately originates from the aorta. It is usually classified according to the sinus where the coronary artery arises from, while anomalous origin of the right coronary being the most common type.

Case presentation

In this case report, we described a rare case of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in a 1-year-old boy, who also had the anomalous right coronary artery that originated from the left coronary sinus without an intramural segment. Besides TOF repair, lateral pulmonary translocation was undertaken in order to avoid risks of myocardial ischemia.

Conclusion

We successfully completed a one-stage operation consisting of TOF repair and pulmonary artery translocation in a 1-year-old boy. We advocated early operation of pulmonic translocation for AAOCA patients without an intramural segment instead of unroofing procedure.

Surgery for Anomalous Aortic Origin of Coronary Arteries: Technical Safeguards and Pitfalls

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is reported as the second leading cause of sudden cardiac death in otherwise healthy young individuals. Several surgical studies have reported a shallow operative risk, describing repair as safe and effective with short or medium-term follow-up. However, surgical repair can also be associated with a high risk of complications. Numerous repair techniques have been described in the literature, but each technique's indications and limitations are often not well-understood or understated. Since explicit technical knowledge of the most appropriate surgical technique is highly desirable, we sought to thoroughly and clearly outline the safeguards and pitfalls of the most common surgical techniques used to repair AAOCA.

Outcomes in anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery after surgical reimplantation

OBJECTIVE

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) can be associated with myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac arrest. We compared outcomes data of patients who underwent transection and reimplantation (TAR) and patients who underwent an unroofing.

METHODS

Patients who presented to the Coronary Artery Anomalies Program were evaluated and managed following a standardized approach. Anatomy was determined using computed tomography angiography, myocardial perfusion using advanced stress imaging, and surgical intervention according to anatomic features.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients underwent surgical repair of AAOCA between 2012 and 2019: 16 (26%) patients underwent TAR of the anomalous coronary without an aortic button and 45 (74%) patients underwent coronary unroofing. Compared with patients who underwent an unroofing, patients who underwent TAR had similar intramural length (5 mm with interquartile range of 4-7.7 vs 6 mm with interquartile range of 5-7; P = .6). One patient with an anomalous right coronary underwent coronary artery bypass grafting after TAR because of persistent postoperative ischemic changes. One patient with unroofing of an anomalous left coronary artery presented with recurrent aborted sudden cardiac death and underwent subsequent TAR, without further events. At last follow-up, 15 of 16 patients (94%) who underwent TAR and 42 of 45 (93%) patients who underwent an unroofing were released to unrestricted exercise activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary artery TAR is a useful surgical alternative for AAOCA when there is a course below the commissure, when unroofing does not relocate the ostium to the appropriate sinus, or when unroofing results in compression by the intercoronary pillar.

Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Coronary Arteries - State of the Art Management and Surgical Techniques

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) can be associated with myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac arrest. We describe and compare the management and surgical techniques for patients with AAOCA. Patients presenting to the Coronary Artery Anomalies Program are evaluated and managed following a standardized approach. Our approach and data were compared to other single-center and multi-institutional data and results. Patients with AAOCA present as an incidental finding approximately 50% of the time. Advanced axial imaging is essential to define the anatomic characteristics of this lesion. Preoperative and postoperative assessment of myocardial perfusion with provocative testing is feasible and contributes to risk stratification. The surgical techniques for AAOCA repair include coronary unroofing, transection and reimplantation, and neo-ostium creation, among others. In general, surgical repair of AAOCA can mitigate the risk of ischemia with low mortality. The specific morbidities and complications of each different technique should be considered during the surgical planning. Surgical repair of AAOCA can mitigate the risk of ischemia with a low associated mortality but with clinically relevant morbidities. Long-term follow-up is necessary to accurately balance the risks of repaired and unrepaired AAOCA.

Anomalous aortic origin of the coronary arteries in a 12-year-old male: a case report

BACKGROUND

Anomalous aortic origin of the coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare congenital cardiac disease that can cause sudden cardiac death. This condition may be corrected with surgery. Among the different surgical techniques used to correct this malformation, the most common are unroofing and lateral pulmonary translocation.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein, we present a multimodal imaging approach to identifying AAOCA in a 12-year-old male. We also successfully adopted a new operative method, neo-ostium creation combined with lateral pulmonary translocation to correct AAOCA. The detailed imaging and intraoperative data has not been reported in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several surgical methods exist to reverse the complications of AAOCA, we offer an innovative surgical technique that is easier, faster, and effective.