ANOMALOUS ORIGIN OF THE LEFT CORONARY ARTERY FROM THE PULMONARY ARTERY (ADULT TYPE)

Abstract

The case of a 7-year-old white female with an anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is presented. The clinical findings of an asymptomatic patient with a continuous murmur at the left lower strenal border, with left ventricular hypertrophy by roentgenography and electrocardiography raised the suspicion of an aortic fistula, which was then investigated by retrograde aortography. The aortogram demonstrated the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery with retrograde flow into the pulmonary artery. The age and circumstances of death in previously reported cases indicate that the so-called adult type is not a benign disease. The diagnosis of an anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is at any age an indication for consideration of surgical intervention.