Prevalence of Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies and Variants in 2697 Consecutive Patients Using 64-Detector Row Coronary CTAngiography

Abstract

BackgroundCoronary artery anomalies are not common, but could be very serious.ObjectivesThis study determines the frequency of coronary anomalies and normal variants by multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT).Patients and MethodsThe results of cardiac MDCT study in 2697 consecutive patients were analyzed retrospectively. Acquisition was performed by a 64-detector row CT machine. Imaging results were assessed by experienced radiologists.ResultsMyocardial bridging was by far the most frequent coronary variant (n = 576, 21.3%). Eighty-three subjects (3.1%) showed other coronary anomalies and variants. Anomalies of origination and course of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) were detected in 1.09% of the subjects. The frequency of these anomalies in the right coronary artery (RCA), left circumflex artery (LCx), left anterior descending artery (LAD), posterior descending artery (PDA) and obtuse marginal (OM) artery were 1.24%, 0.33%, 0.1%, 0.07% and 0.03%, respectively. The single coronary pattern was seen in 0.18% and coronary fistulas in 0.07%.ConclusionBased on the fact that coronary CT-angiography using MDCT can display different coronary anomalies, this study shows similar results to other reports on the subject. Future advances in the performance of CT machines will further improve the quality of CT-based cardiac imaging.

Coronary Artery Fistula

“…2,3 The incidence of coronary artery fistulae is reported to be less than 1% in several studies. [3][4][5] A review of the literature shows that there is no uniform consensus regarding the most common site of origin. However, the left main coronary artery is reported to be the most common site of origin in several studies, whereas the most common site of drainage is the pulmonary artery.…”

Congenital coronary artery anomalies in adult population detected using dual source ECG-gated CTA in a single institution

“…The MB was the most frequently found anomaly as it was diagnosed in 78 (9%) cases in the current study. In contrast, Shabestari et al [34] found much higher incidence (21.3%).…”

Most common anatomic anomalies of coronary arteries

“…Several studies only consider anomalies of origin and course, based on the Angelini et al classification 3 , or only disregard MBLAD as anomaly. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In addition, there are studies that use their own classification, [20][21][22][23] making it challenging to compare data unless one performs a re-analysis of the results using the same classification.…”