A rare case of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery in an adult patient

• Main Authors: Dionne Pierre O, Poirier Nancy, Forcillo Jessica, Stevens Louis M, Chartrand-Lefebvre Carl, Mansour Samer, Noiseux Nicolas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Subjects: Congenital heart defect; Cardiac surgery; Coronary artery bypass graft
• Online Access: http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/8/1/15
• ISSN: 1749-8090

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly that causes a left-to-right shunt via the coronary system, resulting in coronary steal. We report an unusual case of a healthy 48 years-old patient presenting with dyspnea on exertion and mild chest pain who underwent surgical correction of this rare anomaly. Multiple procedures have been proposed in adults with ALCAPA. Although re-implantation of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) to the aorta remains the most physiological correction for this anomaly, the combination of LMCA ligation and coronary artery bypass grafting provides a dual coronary flow system and is preferable when re-implantation is impossible.</p>