Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
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Online Publication Date: Oct 01, 2014

Anomalous Origin of Left Main Coronary Artery from Right Sinus of Valsalva

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Page Range: 558 – 559
DOI: 10.14503/THIJ-12-3008
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A 46-year-old man emergently presented after developing chest pain while running for a taxi. He reported no associated shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness. His vital signs were stable, and the results of respiratory and cardiovascular examination were normal. An electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V6 (Fig. 1). An urgent coronary angiogram revealed narrowing at the origin of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) that did not resolve after intracoronary nitroglycerin was administered (Fig. 2). However, there was no evident atherosclerotic disease.

Fig. 1. Electrocardiogram shows ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V6.Fig. 1. Electrocardiogram shows ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V6.Fig. 1. Electrocardiogram shows ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V6.
Fig. 1. Electrocardiogram shows ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V6.

Citation: Texas Heart Institute Journal 41, 5; 10.14503/THIJ-12-3008

Fig. 2. Coronary angiogram shows narrowing at the origin of the left main coronary artery. / Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2.Fig. 2. Coronary angiogram shows narrowing at the origin of the left main coronary artery. / Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2.Fig. 2. Coronary angiogram shows narrowing at the origin of the left main coronary artery. / Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2.
Fig. 2. Coronary angiogram shows narrowing at the origin of the left main coronary artery. Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2.

Citation: Texas Heart Institute Journal 41, 5; 10.14503/THIJ-12-3008

To better characterize the lesion, we performed dual-source, 64-slice computed tomographic scanning (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.; Mountain View, Calif) with retrospective cardiac gating (0.6 × 0.3-mm image slices); postprocessing image reconstruction was done on independent workstations. We found that the LMCA anomalously originated at an acute angle from the right coronary sinus (Fig. 3) and took a malignant course between the proximal ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk (Fig. 4). The patient was offered corrective surgical repair for this very high-risk anomaly; however, he refused intervention despite aggressive counseling. The rest of his hospitalization was uneventful, and he was discharged in stable condition.

Fig. 3. Computed tomographic angiograms in A) transverse and B) coronal views show the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, along with the right coronary artery. / Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary arteryFig. 3. Computed tomographic angiograms in A) transverse and B) coronal views show the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, along with the right coronary artery. / Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary arteryFig. 3. Computed tomographic angiograms in A) transverse and B) coronal views show the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, along with the right coronary artery. / Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary artery
Fig. 3. Computed tomographic angiograms in A) transverse and B) coronal views show the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, along with the right coronary artery. Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary artery

Citation: Texas Heart Institute Journal 41, 5; 10.14503/THIJ-12-3008

Fig. 4. Computed tomographic angiogram shows the malignant course of the left main coronary artery between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk. / Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary arteryFig. 4. Computed tomographic angiogram shows the malignant course of the left main coronary artery between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk. / Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary arteryFig. 4. Computed tomographic angiogram shows the malignant course of the left main coronary artery between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk. / Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary artery
Fig. 4. Computed tomographic angiogram shows the malignant course of the left main coronary artery between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk. Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary artery

Citation: Texas Heart Institute Journal 41, 5; 10.14503/THIJ-12-3008

Comment

Coronary artery anomalies are rare, with an estimated prevalence of around 5%.1 These anomalies vary with respect to number, location, orientation of the ostia, and origin of the coronary arteries. Some anomalies are merely anatomic variants without clinical relevance; others can present with chest pain, syncope, or sudden cardiac death. Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus (the right coronary artery from the left sinus and the LMCA from the right sinus) has the most potential for clinical repercussions, including the risk of sudden cardiac death in young patients.2

The origin of the LMCA from the right sinus of Valsalva is extremely rare (approximate prevalence, 0.15%).1 The outward expansion of the aortic root and pulmonary trunk during exertion, in addition to the external compression of the vessel, also increases the angulation at the LMCA ostium, which can result in acute myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death.3

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Elliot Borgen for his treatment of the patient and assistance with the manuscript.

References

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Copyright: © 2014 by the Texas Heart® Institute, Houston
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Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.

Electrocardiogram shows ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V6.

Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.

Coronary angiogram shows narrowing at the origin of the left main coronary artery.

Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2.

Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.

Computed tomographic angiograms in A) transverse and B) coronal views show the anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva, along with the right coronary artery.

Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary artery

Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.

Computed tomographic angiogram shows the malignant course of the left main coronary artery between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk.

Ao = aorta; LM = left main coronary artery; PA = pulmonary artery; RCA = right coronary artery

Contributor Notes

Section Editor: Raymond F. Stainback, MD, Department of Adult Cardiology, Texas Heart Institute, 6624 Fannin St., Suite 2480, Houston, TX 77030

From: Cardiology Department, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 – 10th Ave., Brooklyn, New York 11219

Address for reprints: Sameer Chadha, MD, 950 – 49th St., #7E, Brooklyn, NY 11219, E-mail: sameer_n_heart@yahoo.co.in