Multiple Giant Coronary Aneurysms – Exclusion by Vein Graft Interposition

Dual Aneurysms of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Initially Detected by Echocardiography

Echocardiographic detection of abnormalities occurring medially and distally in coronary arteries is uncommon and is not well recognized. Herein, we describe an 87-year-old woman with two distinct aneurysms involving a branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), one of which communicated with the pulmonary artery (PA). Initially determined via transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), these findings were subsequently validated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). We also present a review of the published studies of multiple coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) exceeding 20 mm in diameter, focusing on the location, etiology, symptoms, and common ultrasonic characteristics of 30 cases. Echocardiography is a valuable, noninvasive technique for initial detection, monitoring, and follow-up of CAAs, serving to direct further diagnostics.

Surgical treatment of coronary artery aneurysms

INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are rare. We present our experience with the surgical treatment of patients with CAAs.

METHODS

Between March 2000 and October 2016, 15 patients with CAA underwent surgery.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients was 60 ± 16 years and 47% (n = 7) were male. Kawasaki syndrome was present in two (13%) patients and 7% (n = 1) patients had Marfan syndrome. Isolated CAAs were found in 73% (n = 11) and involvement of multiple vessels was present in 27% (n = 4) of patients. Coronary arteries (CA) affected by aneurysms were: 19% (n = 4) left main stem, 33% (n = 7) left anterior descending, 14% (n = 3) left circumflex, and 33% (n = 7) right coronary artery. The majority of patients (93%, n = 14) were operated on pump with a mean cross-clamp time of 51 ± 23 min. 53% (n = 8) of patients received total arterial CA bypass grafting, while the remaining patients (47%, n = 7) received venous ± internal thoracic artery grafts. Resection/ligation of CAA was performed in 27% (n = 4) of patients. In-hospital mortality was 0% (n = 0). Follow-up was complete for 100% of patients and comprised a total of 80 patient-years. During follow-up, only one patient (7%) required re-intervention.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of CAA has good short- and long-term results.