Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery: learning from the past to make advances in the future

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA): Which measurements are accurate and reliable?

BACKGROUND

The variation and accuracy of computed tomography angiography (CTA) features of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) have not been completely characterized. We evaluated anomalous right (AAORCA) and left (AAOLCA) coronary arteries by CTA, with an emphasis on reproducibility, comparison with surgical measurements, and effect of nitroglycerin.

METHODS

CTAs were interpreted for location of coronary origin & exit from the aorta, course, and dominance; minor & major diameters of the proximal & distal coronaries; shape of orifice; and intramural length. Relationships between vessel measurements, body surface area (BSA), and nitroglycerin use were evaluated. Comparisons between CTA and surgical measurements included intramural length, surgical probe size pre-intervention vs. CTA proximal AAOCA diameter, and surgical probe size post-intervention vs. CTA distal AAOCA diameter.

RESULTS

Of 104 patients [81 (78%) AAORCA], all but 1 were intramural. Compared to AAOLCA, AAORCA patients were more likely to have a high origin (91% vs. 31%, p ​< ​0.01), and slit-like orifice (58% vs. 26%, p ​< ​0.01). When CTAs with nitroglycerin were compared to those without, no difference in proximal AAOCA dimensions was identified; however distal AAOCA and normal-origin coronary dimensions were larger in scans with nitroglycerin. Aside from slit-like orifice, reliability of coronary CTA measurements, including proximal AAOCA minor diameter and intramural length, was moderate to good between readers. In a subgroup of 54 patients, proximal AAOCA minor diameter and intramural length had good agreement and correlation with surgery.

CONCLUSION

Proximal AAOCA dimensions and intramural length are reproducible variables. The lack of difference in proximal AAOCA dimensions with nitroglycerin may reflect abnormal vessel mechanics. Multicenter studies are an important next step in understanding the generalizability of our findings.

Classification, diagnosis and clinical strategy of congenital coronary artery disease in children

Some of the congenital coronary artery diseases in children have potential life-threatening complications. In addition to anatomical classification, the peadiatricians should pay more attention to the risk of adverse cardiac events classification; and then, they can eventrually make the personalized guidance suggestions and treatment decisions according to different diseases.

Case Report: Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery From the Left Sinus of Valsalva With Aortic Dissection: New Myocardial Ischemia Mechanism

The aortic anomaly of the right coronary artery (AAORCA) originating from the left aortic sinus (LCS) is a rare malformation that may result in sudden cardiac death (SCD), which may be due to the dilated aorta-pulmonary artery affecting the blood supply of the coronary artery. However, there are still some disputes about the treatment of the AAORCA. Herein, we present a rare case of AAORCA from the LCS with aortic dissection (AD). Considering the risk of dissection rupture and SCD, an emergency surgery of aortic replacement and coronary anomaly correction was performed successfully for the patient. This report illustrated that AAORCA complicated with acute AD (AAD) is lethal and may promote the occurrence of coronary ischemia or sudden death by a new “double-kill” mechanism that myocardial ischemia was based on the extent of a fixed and a dynamic component like slit-like ostium, proximal narrowing, acute take-off angle and intramural course with the elliptic vessel shape. There is no doubt that surgery is the best treatment option for the AAORCA with AAD.