Aortic Valve Replacement in 8 Adults with Anomalous Aortic Origin of Coronary Artery

Management of Adults With Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Coronary Arteries: State-of-the-Art Review

As a result of increasing adoption of imaging screening, the number of adult patients with a diagnosis of anomalous aortic origin of the coronary arteries (AAOCA) has grown in recent years. Existing guidelines provide a framework for management and treatment, but patients with AAOCA present with a wide range of anomalies and symptoms that make general recommendations of limited applicability. In particular, a large spectrum of interventions can be used for treatment, and there is no consensus on the optimal approach to be used. In this paper, a multidisciplinary group of clinical and interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons performed a systematic review and critical evaluation of the available evidence on the interventional treatment of AAOCA in adult patients. Using a structured Delphi process, the group agreed on expert recommendations that are intended to complement existing clinical practice guidelines.

Management of Adults With Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Coronary Arteries: State-of-the-Art Review

As a result of increasing adoption of imaging screening, the number of adult patients with a diagnosis of anomalous aortic origin of the coronary arteries (AAOCA) has grown in recent years. Existing guidelines provide a framework for management and treatment, but patients with AAOCA present with a wide range of anomalies and symptoms that make general recommendations of limited applicability. In particular, a large spectrum of interventions can be used for treatment, and there is no consensus on the optimal approach to be used. In this paper, a multidisciplinary group of clinical and interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons performed a systematic review and critical evaluation of the available evidence on the interventional treatment of AAOCA in adult patients. Using a structured Delphi process, the group agreed on expert recommendations that are intended to complement existing clinical practice guidelines.

Anomalous circumflex artery: a benign variant generating a malignant potential after valve surgery

Coronary artery anomalies are a diverse group of congenital disorders presenting with highly variable clinical manifestations. The anomalous origin of left circumflex artery from the right coronary sinus following a retro-aortic trajectory is a well-recognized anatomic variation. Despite its benign course, it can prove lethal in association with valvular surgery. When single aortic valve replacement or combined with mitral valve replacement is performed, the aberrant coronary vessel may be compressed by or between the prosthetic rings triggering postoperative lateral myocardial ischemia. If left untreated, the patient is at risk of sudden death or myocardial infarction with its detrimental complications. Skeletonization and mobilization of the aberrant coronary artery is the most widely accepted intervention, but valve downsizing or concomitant surgical or transcatheter revascularization have also been described. However, large series are lacking from the literature. Therefore, no guidelines exist. This study is a thorough review of the literature concerning the aforementioned anomaly in association with valvular surgery.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with anomalous coronary artery

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to analyze literature and provide systematic algorithm to guide decision making during TAVI procedure.

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is growing in popularity and expanding to younger patients with lower risk profiles. Currently, there is no concise guideline on the management strategy during TAVI in patients with anomalous coronary artery (ACA) anatomy undergoing this procedure.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted for relevant case reports of TAVI in patients who had confirmed ACA anatomy. Twenty-four case reports, that met the criteria for this review, were identified and included in the final study size.

RESULTS

TAVI was successful in 23 out of 24 cases. Half of the cases (12) described performing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) before TAVI. The majority (15) reported using angiogram Postimplantation. Only one-third of cases (8) reported performing coronary protection (with either wire, wire and stent or wire and balloon). Two-third of case reports (16/24, 67%) mentioned using Edwards SAPIEN balloon expandable transcatheter heart valves (THV).

CONCLUSIONS

Preprocedural diagnostic imaging tests play important role in determining the ACA anatomy and its relation to the aortic valve. BAV with simultaneous coronary arteries angiography or aortography should be performed before implantation of THV, as it could potentially predict whether the ACA would be compressed. Using at least a coronary wire for ACA protection is recommended in case there is high risk of ACA obstruction. Management strategy should be individualized when performing TAVI in patients with ACA.

Mobilization of an anomalous retroaortic coronary artery to prevent myocardial ischemia after aortic valve replacement

Abnormal distribution may put coronary arteries at risk of damage during valvular surgery, especially if it is not identified during a preoperative examination. In this case report, we describe an approach to an anomalous right coronary artery during aortic valve replacement.