The anesthetic management and physiologic implications in infants with anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery

Anesthesia Consideration for a Patient With Incidentally Diagnosed Anomalous Origin of Right Coronary Artery Originating From Pulmonary Trunk (ARCAPA): A Case Study

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery originating from the pulmonary trunk (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly that is usually diagnosed incidentally. Although usually asymptomatic, ARCAPA can lead to myocardial ischemia of the left ventricular wall and/or sudden cardiac arrest. Here, we report the case of a 48-year-old female who presented for recurrent malignant pleural effusion, who was scheduled for a bronchoscopy, thoracoscopic evaluation of left pleural effusion, multiple excisional biopsies of the left chest wall and costophrenic parietal pleural nodules, and insertion of tunneled PleurX™ catheter (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, United States). ARCAPA was discovered incidentally in this patient during the preoperative evaluation. The patient was asymptomatic and echocardiogram findings were within normal limits. No additional intervention was required, and the patient was managed satisfactorily with general anesthesia.

Management and Anesthetic Considerations for Patients With Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery

The term "coronary artery anomalies" encompasses a large and heterogeneous group of disorders that may affect origin, intrinsic anatomy, course, location, and termination of the coronary arteries. With these different anatomies, presentation, symptoms, and outcomes are heterogeneous as well. While significant efforts are directed toward improving diagnosis and risk-stratification, best evidence-guided practices remain in evolution. Data about anesthetic management of patients with coronary anomalies are lacking as well. This review aims to provide the anesthesiologist with a better understanding of an important subgroup of coronary artery anomalies: anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery. We will discuss classification, pathophysiology, incidence, evaluation, management, and anesthetic implications of this potentially fatal disease group.

Images in Anesthesiology: Anomalous Single Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery

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