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Gräni C, Bigler MR, Kwong RY. Noninvasive Multimodality Imaging for the Assessment of Anomalous Coronary Artery. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:1233-1246. [PMID: 37851270 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01948-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly with the potential to cause myocardial ischemia and adverse cardiac events. The presence of AAOCA anatomy itself does not necessarily implicate a need for revascularization. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to assess how noninvasive comprehensive anatomic- and physiologic evaluation may guide patient management. RECENT FINDINGS The assessment of AAOCA includes an accurate description of the anomalous origin/vessel course including anatomical high-risk features such as a slit-like ostium, proximal narrowing, elliptic vessel shape, acute take-off angle, intramural course, and possible concomitant coronary atherosclerosis and hemodynamics. Various cardiac imaging modalities offer unique advantages and capabilities in visualizing these anatomical and functional aspects of AAOCA. This review explored the role of noninvasive multimodality imaging in the characterization of AAOCA by highlighting the strengths, limitations, and potential applications of the current different cardiac imaging methods, with a focus on the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia and stress testing protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Gräni
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marius R Bigler
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Raymond Y Kwong
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Clay KJ, Hamid A, Deere BP. Two Cases of Highly Symptomatic Interarterial Anomalous Right Coronary Arteries. Cureus 2023; 15:e42761. [PMID: 37663993 PMCID: PMC10468210 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery anomalies are a broad group of congenital coronary artery variations. Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery is a variant that occurs when a coronary artery arises from an inappropriate sinus of Valsalva. While most patients are asymptomatic, these congenital variants may predispose them to symptoms or even sudden cardiac death (SCD). Unfortunately, no unified consensus exists on risk stratification or management of patients with these congenital variants. We present two unique cases of symptomatic anomalous right coronary arteries and discuss their presentations, imaging findings, and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Clay
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Arsalan Hamid
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Bradley P Deere
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
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Verheijen DB, Egorova AD, Jongbloed MR, van der Kley F, Koolbergen DR, Hazekamp MG, Lamb HJ, Jukema JW, Kiès P, Vliegen HW. Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Right Coronary Artery: Invasive Haemodynamic Assessment in Adult Patients With High-Risk Anatomic Features. CJC PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2023; 2:124-133. [PMID: 37969355 PMCID: PMC10642095 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjcpc.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Anomalous aortic origin of a right coronary artery (AAORCA) with an interarterial course merits further evaluation; however, robust risk assessment strategies for myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death are currently lacking. The aim of this study is to explore the potential role of fractional flow reserve (FFR), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with AAORCA. Methods Consecutive adult patients with AAORCA with an interarterial course were included. Computed tomography angiography, noninvasive ischemia detection, and FFR, iFR, and IVUS were performed at baseline and during adrenaline-induced stress. External compression was evaluated with IVUS. Results Eight patients (63% female, mean age: 53 ± 9.5 years) were included. Five patients (63%) were symptomatic, and computed tomography angiography revealed high-risk anatomy of the AAORCA in all patients. Only in 1 (12.5%) patient FFR and iFR were positive; however, this was attributed at large to concomitant diffuse atherosclerosis. In 2 of 8 (25%), IVUS revealed external compression; however, the ostial coronary surface area remained unchanged. In all patients, a conservative treatment strategy was pursued. During a mean follow-up of 29.3 months (standard deviation ±2.6 months), symptoms spontaneously disappeared in 4 of 5 (80%) and no adverse cardiac events occurred in any of the patients. Conclusions Despite the presence of high-risk anatomy in all patients, none had proven ischemia prompting a conservative treatment strategy. No adverse cardiac events occurred during follow-up, and in the majority of patients, symptoms spontaneously disappeared. Therefore, FFR, iFR, and IVUS with pharmacologic stress merit further investigation and might contribute to ischemia-based risk stratification and management strategies in adult patients with AAORCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diederick B.H. Verheijen
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anastasia D. Egorova
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Monique R.M. Jongbloed
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Frank van der Kley
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dave R. Koolbergen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark G. Hazekamp
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hildo J. Lamb
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - J. Wouter Jukema
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Philippine Kiès
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hubert W. Vliegen
- Department of Cardiology, CAHAL, Center for Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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W Stark A, Gräni C. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Anomalous Right Coronary Artery: Ready to Implement in Clinical Routine? Interv Cardiol 2022; 17:e15. [PMID: 36644624 PMCID: PMC9819999 DOI: 10.15420/icr.2022.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anselm W Stark
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Bigler MR, Stark AW, Giannopoulos AA, Huber AT, Siepe M, Kadner A, Räber L, Gräni C. Coronary CT FFR vs Invasive Adenosine and Dobutamine FFR in a Right Anomalous Coronary Artery. JACC Case Rep 2022; 4:929-933. [PMID: 35935159 PMCID: PMC9350890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We present the management of an anomalous coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva with comprehensive diagnostic workup including noninvasive coronary computed tomography (CT) derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) and invasive dobutamine-volume challenge-FFR/intravascular ultrasound. After surgical operation, treatment success was quantified by anatomical and functional analysis in postoperative CT. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius R. Bigler
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anselm W. Stark
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas A. Giannopoulos
- Cardiac Imaging, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian T. Huber
- Department of Radiology, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Siepe
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Kadner
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Räber
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Address for correspondence: Dr. Christoph Gräni, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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Bigler MR, Huber AT, Räber L, Gräni C. A case report of a symptomatic right anomalous coronary artery with concomitant atherosclerotic disease: the benefit of a sequential comprehensive non-invasive and invasive diagnostic approach. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CASE REPORTS 2021; 5:ytab081. [PMID: 33718769 PMCID: PMC7939695 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare congenital disease associated with an increased risk of myocardial ischaemia, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. Case summary A 75-year-old Caucasian man was referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) due to atypical chest pain. Invasive coronary angiography demonstrated non-significant atherosclerotic disease of the left coronary artery and an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA); without selective intubation. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) revealed a right-AAOCA with interarterial and intramural course, and a soft plaque in the distal RCA. Subsequent physical-stress single-photon emissions computed tomography (SPECT) showed exercise-induced inferoapical myocardial ischaemia, giving a Class IC level of evidence for surgical correction of the AAOCA. Repeated ICA with selective R-AAOCA intubation confirmed an 80% distal atherosclerotic stenosis, which was treated with direct stenting. Subsequent invasive physiologic evaluation under maximal dobutamine-volume challenge (gradually increasing dose of dobutamine max. 40 μg/kg per body weight/min, 3000 mL ringer lactate and 1 mg atropine was given until the patient reached a maximum of 145 b.p.m.), revealed a haemodynamically non-relevant anomalous segment with a fractional flow reserve (FFR) of 0.91. A follow-up SPECT was normal, and the patient was completely symptom-free at 1 month. Discussion We present the sequential diagnostic approach in a symptomatic patient with a right anomalous coronary artery and concomitant atherosclerotic disease. Using this approach, the patient could be deferred from guideline recommended open-heart surgery of the AAOCA, as direct invasive dobutamine/volume FFR revealed haemodynamic non-relevance of the anomalous segment after stenting the concomitant atherosclerotic stenosis in the distal segment within the same coronary artery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Reto Bigler
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Thomas Huber
- Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Räber
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Bigler MR, Ashraf A, Seiler C, Praz F, Ueki Y, Windecker S, Kadner A, Räber L, Gräni C. Hemodynamic Relevance of Anomalous Coronary Arteries Originating From the Opposite Sinus of Valsalva-In Search of the Evidence. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 7:591326. [PMID: 33553251 PMCID: PMC7859106 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.591326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery anomalies (CAA) represent a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders of the arterial coronary circulation, defined by an anomalous origin of the coronary ostium and/or vessel course. Of particular interest are anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS). The interarterial variants (with the anomalous vessel situated between the great arteries) are historically called "malignant," based on an anticipated higher risk for myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death (SCD), especially affecting young patients during strenuous physical activity. However, the interarterial course itself may not be the predominant cause of ischemia, but rather represents a surrogate for other ischemia-associated anatomical high-risk features. As the exact pathophysiology of ACAOS is not well-understood, there is a lack of evidence-based guidelines addressing optimal diagnostic work-up, downstream testing, sports counseling, and therapeutic options in patients with ACAOS. Therefore, treating physicians are often left with uncertainty regarding the clinical management of affected patients. This review focuses on the pathophysiologic consequences of ACAOS on myocardial ischemia and discusses the concept of the interplay between fixed and dynamic coronary stenosis. Further, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the different diagnostic modalities and give an outlook by highlighting the gaps of knowledge in the assessment of such anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Reto Bigler
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Afreed Ashraf
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Seiler
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabien Praz
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yasushi Ueki
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Windecker
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Kadner
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre for Congenital Heart Disease, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Räber
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Gräni
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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