Right Coronary Artery Origin from Left Sinus of Valsalva with an Inter-arterial Course: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Introduction: Overally the anomaly of the coronary arteries are rare. Its incidence according to angiographic, autopsy and echocardiographic findings, are about 1%, 0.29% and less than 0.1% respectively. Usually these are the incidental finding during angiography without clinical presentation. These anomalies may be accompanied by myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, syncope and sudden death. Case Presentation: We present a 14-year-old Iranian boy who experienced chest pain and shortness of breath after engaging in physical activity. The right coronary artery (RCA) had an intramural and inter-arterial course and was proven to have originated from the left sinus of Valsalva by computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA). The RCA began adjunct to the ostium of the left main coronary artery and coursed intramural at first and then continued between the aorta and pulmonary artery. The patient underwent corrective surgery. The RCA was cut from origin and reanastomosd to the right coronary sinus after preparing the sinus. The patient recovered well and he was discharged with the ability to perform sports activity. One year Follow up of the patient was uneventful. Conclusions: Even though single ostium coronary artery abnormalities are uncommon, they have become more frequently identified in recent years using non-invasive techniques such transthoracic echocardiography, which is then followed by CT angiography or conventional angiography. These patients are susceptible to sudden death, so attention to symptoms of the patients and comprehensive approach to them can be lifesaving.