Background and ObjectivesCoronary artery anomalies are found in approximately 1% of patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG). Angiographic recognition of these vessels is important because of their clinical significance and importance in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty or cardiac surgery. There are fairly enough reports concerning the incidence of coronary anomalies in different geographic areas, but this is the first study among the Iranian population.Subjects and MethodsWe reviewed the database of the Catheterization Laboratory of Imam Reza and Shahid Madani Hospitals, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Our inquiry included all patients who referred for CAG from other hospitals, between February 2007 and April 2009. Patients with congenital heart diseases, high "take off" of coronary arteries and separate origin of the conus artery from the right coronary sinus (RCS) were excluded. In total, 6065 films were reviewed.ResultsSeventy nine (1.30%) patients were found to have coronary anomalies. Seventy five (1.24%) patients had anomalies of origin and distribution, while four (0.06%) had coronary artery fistulae. Most common anomaly was separate ostia of the left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery, which was found in 42 patients (53.16%) with angiographic incidence of 0.69%. The next most common anomalies were anomalous circumflex artery from RCS/right coronary artery (RCA) {n=17 (21.51%)}, and anomalous RCA arising from left coronary sinus {n=6 (7.59%)}.ConclusionIn general, the incidence and pattern of coronary anomalies in our study was similar to earlier reports from different parts of the world.
An anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) with a high anterior takeoff from ascending aorta is an uncommon and technically challenging vessel to cannulate. There are only a few reports in the literature describing this anomaly. Some of them consider it as a "very rare" or even "extremely rare" anomaly. Here we present a case of anomalous RCA arising from antero-left part of the ascending aorta, 3 cm above sinotubular junction. It was impossible to cannulate the anomalous vessel from the femoral approach by two experienced operators, despite using various catheters. The vessel could easily be engaged from the right radial approach at first attempt. We conclude that in patients with anomalous high RCA takeoff from anterior or especially left-anterior part of the ascending aorta, we suggest to switch to the right radial approach and not to lose much time on the femoral one.
Congenital kinking of the aorta is an uncommon anomaly consisting of elongation of the aortic arch with kinking at the level of the ductal ligament. Herein we report a case of congenital kinking of the aorta with calcified aortic valve stenosis. The combination of a kinked aorta with severe calcified valve stenosis is very unusual.
Purpose.Until the mid-20th century they could be discovered only during autopsy, it means after death. With the introduction of coronary angiography it become possible to find them in a living person. Later on, new modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhanced futher our abilities. It is very important to discover coronary anomalies in a living person, because some of them could lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD). In fact, coronary artery anomalies are the second main cause of the SCD in young athletes. Another importance is driven by the fact, that some of them could lead to lifethreatening complications during cardiac surgery when unknown before the operation.Methods.We prospectively reviewed all coronary angiography films from 2011 to 2016 in our center. Coronary anomalies were reviewed and classified by two independent experienced operators. Patients with congenital heart disease and coronary fistulas were excluded.Results.Out of 5055 patients 148 (2.9%) had coronary artery anomalies of origin and distribution. Those were 120 men (81.1%) and 28 women (18.9%) with an age range between 29 to 88 years. The three most common anomalies were myocardial bridge (48.7%), separate origin of the conus branch (13.5%) and separate origin of the LAD and LCX (8.1%).Conclusion.In our study we found more or less the same types and incidence rates of coronary artery anomalies as in the world literature. We had apparently higher rates of myocardial bridges, compared to average number on angiography studies, but very close to authopsy study rates.
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