Double right coronary artery: report of two cases and review of the literature

Int J Cardiol. 2008 Nov 12;130(2):e74-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.11.073. Epub 2008 Jan 22.

Abstract

Double right coronary artery (RCA) is a very rare coronary anomaly. So far, the number of reported cases of double RCA is not so much. Nevertheless, there have been several reports of double RCA in the literature, particularly in the last decade. We aimed to report two cases with double RCA and review the literature in this issue. In brackets, we searched the words - double right coronary artery - in medline (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and limit the search into the title. According to the results, so far double RCA have been reported 18 times and in 20 cases. Here in this case report and minireview we discussed the characteristics of the previous 20 and the present 2 cases with double RCA. The age of diagnosis of double RCA was in the fifth decade on average. Of the 22 cases reported, 19 were male. 14 of them originated from single ostia whereas 8 from separate ostia. 7 of 22 cases were complicated with atherosclerosis and 4 had associated anomalies. In conclusion, although controversy exists about definition of double RCA and generally considered as a benign entity, it might be atherosclerotic and can cause acute coronary syndromes including myocardial infarction and be associated with other anomalies. It is predominantly seen in males and might origin from either single or separate ostia. Although coronary angiography is the most widely used diagnostic modality, multidetector computed tomography might also be helpful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / complications
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / physiopathology
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / trends