Antithrombotic Therapy of a Young Adult with Giant Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm

Coronary Artery Aneurysms, Arteriovenous Malformations, and Spontaneous Dissections-A Review of the Evidence

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs), coronary arteriovenous malformations (CAVMs), and spontaneous coronary artery dissections (SCADs) are rare clinical entities, and much is unknown about their natural history, prognosis, and management.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in March 2023 to identify published papers related to CAAs, CAVMs, and SCADs.

RESULTS

CAAs are found in 0.3% to 12% of patients undergoing angiography and are often associated with coronary atherosclerosis. They are usually asymptomatic but can be complicated by thrombosis in up to 4.8% of patients and rarely by rupture (0.2%). CAAs can be managed medically, percutaneously with stents or coil embolization, and surgically. The most common surgical procedure is ligation of the aneurysm, followed by coronary artery bypass grafting. The incidence of CAVMs is 0.1% to 0.2% in patients undergoing angiography, and they are most likely associated with congenital abnormal development of the coronary vessels. The diagnosis of CAVMs is usually incidental. Surgical or percutaneous intervention is indicated for patients with large CAVMs, which carry a potential risk of myocardial infarction. SCADs represent 1% to 4% of all acute coronary syndromes and typically affect young women. SCADs are strongly correlated with pregnancy, suggesting the role of sex hormones in their pathogenesis. Conservative management of SCAD is preferred for stable patients without signs of ischemia as spontaneous resolution is frequently reported. Unstable patients should undergo revascularization either percutaneously or with coronary artery bypass grafting.

CONCLUSIONS

Further evidence regarding the management of these rare diseases is needed and can ideally be derived from multicenter collaborations.

Giant right coronary artery aneurysm in a dominant right system

Giant coronary artery aneurysms (GCAAs) are unusual and extremely rare. Due to their rarity, there is a lack of data on managing GCAAs. A man in his 70s who presented with worsening shortness of breath and bilateral lower extremity oedema was found to have non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed a tortuous Shepherd's crook right coronary artery with ectasia and a gigantic 4.5×4 cm saccular aneurysm in the mid-right coronary artery with limited flow to the distal vasculature. He subsequently underwent aneurysmal clipping and excision with coronary artery bypass grafting. GCAAs are usually silent and diagnosed incidentally but can also present with variable cardiac symptoms. Treatment options include medical management, percutaneous coronary angioplasty and surgery. As per limited available literature, surgical resection has shown favourable outcomes, especially in symptomatic GCAAs. The patient reported significant symptomatic improvement on the follow-up office visit.

Pediatric Thromboprophylaxis of Large Coronary Artery Aneurysm Using Rivaroxaban

Giant or large coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are rare in children, most often secondary to Kawasaki disease, and anticoagulation is recommended to prevent thromboembolism. There are no published pediatric reports on the use of a direct oral anticoagulant for this indication. We describe the anticoagulation management of an 8-year-old boy with a dilated right CAA secondary to Kawasaki disease that has remained stable on rivaroxaban and aspirin, following bleeding complications on enoxaparin and challenges on warfarin. The use of rivaroxaban appears to be safe and effective in the prevention of thrombosis in a pediatric patient with CAA.

Two presentations of acute coronary syndrome with progression of giant right coronary artery aneurysm; a case report

Background

Giant coronary aneurysms are a rare finding on coronary angiography. Given its very low prevalence, little is known about optimal management of this coronary pathology.

Case summary

In this case report, we review the two presentations of a patient with acute coronary syndrome during a 6-year period. With regard to the second presentation, we review the investigations that demonstrate the progression of a coronary aneurysm in the right coronary artery as well as the Heart Team evaluations that resulted in surgical treatment of the coronary aneurysm.

Discussion

Following perspectives on prevalence and risk factors, we emphasize upon the available data with regard to interventional options in coronary aneurysms and describe the considerations with regard to interventional treatment in patients with giant coronary aneurysms. Finally, we discuss the available literature with regard to antithrombotic regimens in patients with coronary aneurysms.

Coronary artery aneurysms caused by Kawasaki disease in an adult: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a self-limiting febrile illness and an acute vasculitis with an unknown origin. It predominantly affects children aged < 5 years. KD is the common cause of acquired heart disease in children. We here report a case of KD in an asymptomatic young female patient diagnosed with multiple coronary aneurysms with calcification.

CASE SUMMARY

A 29-year-old female patient admitted to Hangzhou First People's Hospital with coronary artery abnormality identified for 1 wk. The patient was asymptomatic; however, chest computed tomography occasionally revealed strip-like dense shadows in the coronal sulcus. After coronary angiography and Doppler echocardiography, the final diagnosis was coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) caused by KD. Although the patient was asymptomatic with no history of KD in childhood, the definitive diagnosis was CAAs caused by KD. The patient was administered anticoagulant, and surgical treatment was recommended.

CONCLUSION

KD potentially causes CAAs in 25% of untreated cases, primarily occurring in the proximal portions of the coronary arteries.

Coronary Artery Aneurysm in Kawasaki Disease: Coronary CT Angiography through the Lens of Pathophysiology and Differential Diagnosis

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an inflammatory autoimmune vasculitis affecting the coronary arteries of very young patients, which can result in coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) with lifelong manifestations. Accurate identification and assessment of CAAs in the acute phase and sequentially during the chronic phase of KD is fundamental to the treatment plan for these patients. The differential diagnosis of CAA includes atherosclerosis, other vasculitic processes, connective tissue disorders, fistulas, mycotic aneurysms, and procedural sequelae. Understanding of the initial pathophysiology and evolutionary arterial changes is important to interpretation of imaging findings. There are multiple applicable imaging modalities, each with its own strengths, limitations, and role at various stages of the disease process. Coronary CT angiography is useful for evaluation of CAAs as it provides assessment of the entire coronary tree, CAA size, structure, wall, and lumen characteristics and visualization of other cardiothoracic vasculature. Knowledge of the natural history of KD, the spectrum of other conditions that can cause CAA, and the strengths and limitations of cardiovascular imaging are all important factors in imaging decisions and interpretation. Keywords: Pediatrics, Coronary Arteries, Angiography, Cardiac © RSNA, 2021.