Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery detected by echocardiography in an asymptomatic adult

Intern Med. 2013;52(2):233-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.52.7643. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital malformation. It is unusual for an ALCAPA patient to survive to adulthood. We present a case of an asymptomatic 54-year-old woman with this syndrome in which visualization of a markedly enlarged and tortuous right coronary artery and intercoronary collaterals by echocardiography raises suspicion for this disease and subsequently guides a step-by-step diagnosis. The patient lives well without surgery 3 years after diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Asymptomatic Diseases*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging*