Coronary artery anomalies

• Published in: Revista portuguesa de cardiologia (English ed.) 2012-07, Vol.31 (7), p.477-484
• Main Authors: Almeida, Carla, Dourado, Raquel, Machado, Carina, Santos, Emília, Pelicano, Nuno, Pacheco, Miguel, Tavares, Anabela, Melo, Fernando, Matos, Manuela, Vieira Faria, José, Martins, Dinis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 64-Slice CT; Angio TC de 64 cortes; Anomalias das artérias coronárias; Cardiac CT National Registry; Cardiovascular; Coronary artery anomalies; Registo Nacional das AngioTC Cardíacas
• ISSN: 2174-2049; 2174-2049
• DOI: 10.1016/j.repce.2011.12.018

Abstract Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) are a rare entity but their true incidence in the general population has yet to be determined. Most CAAs are asymptomatic, but they are nevertheless the second leading cause of sudden death in apparently healthy young athletes. The new imaging methods available to cardiologists, including CT angiography and MRI, now enable noninvasive diagnosis and characterization of these anomalies. The authors review the literature and present a retrospective study of 360 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac CT angiography. Demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics were studied. The incidence of CAAs in this population was 2.69%. In order to better characterize this disorder, including diagnostic strategy, screening, treatment and prognosis, the authors suggest the establishment of a national registry of cardiac CT angiography. Such a registry would fill the existing gap in information on exams performed in the country, enriching current knowledge about this disease and noninvasive cardiac imaging in Portugal.