Since Barnard’s first heterotopic heart transplant in 1974, Copeland’s method has been the greatest contribution to heterotopic transplants but has the drawback of donor’s right ventricular atrophy. This new method proposes a modification in the anastomosis of the superior vena cava aiming to pre-serve donor’s right ventricular function by decompressing the pulmonary territory and reducing the pulmonary arterial pressure, as a biological ventricular assist device. Finally, a second intervention is proposed, where a “twist” is performed to place the donor’s heart in an orthotopic position after re-moval of the native heart. A pioneering research on this method received approval from the ethics committee of the Heart Institute of São Paulo. We believe that this method has the potential to im-prove quality of life in a selected group of patients.
Background: Anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery is a rare finding, with varied presentation and symptomatology. Increasingly recognized by cardiac imaging, when found it raises questions about the appropriate approach and management.Case presentation: We present a case of an 11-year-old female who presented with episodes of shortness of breath, angina, and syncope during exercise. Further investigation demonstrated episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter and coronary angiotomography revealed that the left coronary artery had an anomalous origin from the right cusp with initial short intramural segment and significant external compression in its initial course between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. The patient was submitted to surgical correction with dissection
Anomalous Aortic Origin of Coronary Artery (AAOCA) is a rare finding,
with varied presentation and symptomatology. Increasingly recognized by
cardiac imaging, when found it raises questions about the appropriate
approach and management. We present a case of an 11-year-old female who
presented with episodes of shortness of breath, angina and syncope
during exercise. Further investigation demonstrated episodes of
nonsustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter and coronary
angiotomography revealed that the left coronary artery had an anomalous
origin from the right cusp with initial short intramural segment and
significant external compression in its initial course between the aorta
and the pulmonary artery. Patient was submitted to surgical correction
with dissection of left coronary artery posterior to the pulmonary
artery, coronary arteriotomy, roof ampliation with autologous
pericardium and creation of neo-ostium in aorta. Patient had
satisfactory postoperative recovery, was discharged on the fifth day
post op, and remains asymptomatic after six months follow-up. Herein we
present surgical video and postoperative echo and CT scan.
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