Anomalous circumflex artery encircling the aortic annulus: implications for mitral valve repair

Abstract Injury to coronary arteries during mitral surgery is a rare but life-threatening procedural complication, an anomalous origin and course of the left circumflex artery (LCx) increase this risk. Recognizing the anomaly by the characteristic angiographic pattern and identifying its relationshi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Main Authors: Michele Portoghese, Simone Mureddu, Andrea Balata, Cristina Contini, Giangiacomo Carta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-05-01
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13019-024-02779-8
Description
Summary:Abstract Injury to coronary arteries during mitral surgery is a rare but life-threatening procedural complication, an anomalous origin and course of the left circumflex artery (LCx) increase this risk. Recognizing the anomaly by the characteristic angiographic pattern and identifying its relationship with the surrounding anatomical structure using imaging techniques, mainly transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) or coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), is of crucial importance in setting up the best surgical strategy. We report a case of anomalous origin of a circumflex artery (LCx) from the proximal portion of the right coronary artery (RCA) with a pathway running retroaortically through the mitro-aortic space. An integrated diagnostic approach using a multidisciplinary team with a cardiologist and an imaging radiologist allowed us to decide the surgical strategy. We successfully performed a mitral valvular repair using a minimally invasive minithoracotomic approach and implanting a complete semirigid ring.
ISSN:1749-8090