Anomalous origin of coronary arteries from pulmonary artery in adults: a case series

Abstract

Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk is a small group of rare congenital anomalies present in up to 1% of the population. These patients, in absence of an adequate collateral supply, may present with congestive heart failure secondary to ischaemia, arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death in up to 90% of cases within the first months of life. We present four cases diagnosed in adulthood over 10 years in two high-volume centres. The first patient presented with dyspnoea and orthopnoea. The second with chest pain and episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. The third patient presented during her third pregnancy with chest pain, palpitations, and arrhythmia (non-sustained ventricular tachycardia). The fourth patient presented with sudden cardiac death. In all cases with anomalous origin of coronary arteries, it is recommendable to consider surgical correction to avoid the progression of ischaemia, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden death.