Ahmet Karabulut
Abstract
Introduction: Coronary artery anomalies are rare clinical entities reported in 0.6% to 5.6% of diagnostic coronary angiographies. Anomalous origins of coronary arteries from distal segments are rarely reported. Presented herein is a coronary anomaly in which the circumflex artery (CX) originated as a ...
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Introduction: Coronary artery anomalies are rare clinical entities reported in 0.6% to 5.6% of diagnostic coronary angiographies. Anomalous origins of coronary arteries from distal segments are rarely reported. Presented herein is a coronary anomaly in which the circumflex artery (CX) originated as a continuation of the posterolateral branch of the right coronary artery (RCA) with separate left anterior descending (LAD) artery origination from the left sinus of Valsalva. The clinical presentation of such a rare anomaly is discussed, and the current literature regarding the congenital absence of CX is reviewed. Case Presentation: A 66-year-old male presented with angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed critical stenosis in the mid segment of the LAD artery and an anomalous origin of CX artery from the distal RCA. The CX was coursing as a continuation of the posterolateral branch of the RCA. Coronary angioplasty and stent deployment was performed for the LAD lesion, and the patient was discharged with medical therapy. The patient did not report recurrent anginal symptoms under medical therapy. Conclusion: The congenital absence of the circumflex coronary artery is a rare coronary anomaly. The clinical presentation may vary, though most cases are asymptomatic during diagnosis. Such cases require close clinical follow-up since they entertain a future risk for being symptomatic, especially in the setting of atherosclerotic disease.
Ahmet Karabulut
Abstract
Introduction: Iatrogenic aortocoronary dissection (ACD) is a nightmare in interventional cardiology. Although ACD is rarely reported, the real-world prevalence is suspected of being higher due to unreported cases. The right coronary artery (RCA) ostium is involved in the majority of cases, and dissections ...
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Introduction: Iatrogenic aortocoronary dissection (ACD) is a nightmare in interventional cardiology. Although ACD is rarely reported, the real-world prevalence is suspected of being higher due to unreported cases. The right coronary artery (RCA) ostium is involved in the majority of cases, and dissections are usually limited to the aortic sinus in half of the clinical presentations. There are different treatment strategies, including interventional approaches, surgery, and medical follow-up. Immediate stent deployment to the coronary osteum might be a life-saving procedure, and the surgical approach should be preferred in occasions of dissection extension beyond the sino-tubular junctions. Catheter trauma and subintimal progression of guidewires are major causes of ACD occurrence.Case Presentation: Herein presented is a case report of spontaneous ACD observed after contrast injection to the RCA ostium. Approximately 8 cc of radiocontrast agent was injected into the right coronary ostium. Antegrade and retrograde dissections which extended to the distal RCA and aortic root were observed. The right sinus of Valsalva was stained with contrast agent, and the border of the stained area was extended to the sinotubular junction. Medical follow-up was proposed by the heart team. Close follow-up with echocardiographic examination indicated the complete regression of the dissection.Conclusion: The authors consider conservative follow-up with echocardiogaphy rather than computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance to be the most appropriate imaging technique for use with stable patients.