eMedicine Specialties > Cardiology > Coronary Artery Disease

Isolated Coronary Artery Anomalies

Author: Jamshid Shirani, MD, FACC, FAHA, Consulting Staff, Director of Cardiovascular Fellowship Program, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Geisinger Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Alessandra Brofferio, MD, Fellow, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 13, 2008

Introduction

Background

The term coronary artery anomaly refers to a wide range of congenital abnormalities involving the origin, course, and structure of epicardial coronary arteries. By definition, these abnormalities occur in less than 1% of the general population. Coronary artery anomalies are frequently found in association with other major congenital cardiac defects. This article, however, is focused on isolated coronary artery anomalies (ie, in the absence of other major congenital cardiac defects). In adults, the clinical interest in coronary anomalies relates to their occasional association with sudden death, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, or endocarditis. In addition, presence of coronary artery anomalies may, at times, create challenges during coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary interventions, and coronary artery surgery.

Pathophysiology

Normal coronary artery anatomy

The coronary arteries are the only branches of the ascending aorta, and they supply blood to all structures within the pericardial cavity. Usually, the 2 coronary artery ostia are located in the center of the left and right (anterior) sinuses of the aortic valve. The posterior sinus of the aortic valve contains no coronary ostium and is often designated as the noncoronary sinus.

Left coronary artery

The left coronary artery originates from the left coronary sinus of the aorta, and, after a single initial trunk (left main coronary artery) of variable length and size, it gives rise to the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCx) coronary artery branches. The LAD coronary artery runs along the anterior interventricular sulcus, provides several superficial (diagonal) and multiple deep (septal perforator) branches, and usually reaches the cardiac apex. In some individuals, a diagonal branch may have a very proximal takeoff such that the left main (LM) gives rise to 3 instead of 2 branches. In this case, the additional artery arising from the LM originates in between the LAD and the LCx coronary arteries and is called the ramus intermedius coronary artery. This artery provides blood supply to the anterior left ventricular free wall.

The LCx coronary artery runs in the left atrioventricular groove and usually has 1 or more branches that reach the obtuse margin of the heart (obtuse marginals). The LAD coronary artery supplies blood to the anterior left ventricular wall through its diagonal branches, the anterior two thirds of the interventricular septum through its septal perforator branches, and commonly the cardiac apex by its terminal branches. The LCx coronary artery supplies blood to the left ventricular lateral and posterior walls through its obtuse marginal branches.

Right coronary artery

The right coronary artery (RCA) originates from the right coronary sinus of the aorta and runs in the right atrioventricular groove to reach the crux (junction of the atrioventricular groove and the posterior interventricular sulcus) of the heart. It supplies blood to the inferior (diaphragmatic) left ventricular wall and often the posterior one third of the interventricular septum as well as the free wall of the right ventricular through its right ventricular (acute marginal) branches. The posterior descending branch of the RCA supplies blood to the posterior one third of the interventricular septum. A posterolateral branch of the RCA provides blood supply to the basal most portion of the posterolateral left ventricular wall.

Arterial dominance

Left or right coronary artery dominance is determined by the origin of the atrioventricular nodal artery at the crux of the heart (see above). The atrioventricular node artery originates from the RCA in approximately 90% of the population and LCx coronary artery in the remaining 10%. The dominant coronary artery also gives off the posterior descending coronary artery that runs in the posterior interventricular sulcus and provides septal perforator branches to the posterior one third of the interventricular septum. In some individuals, both the RCA and the LCx reach the crux and jointly give rise to the posterior descending coronary artery. In such cases, the coronary arterial system is referred to as codominant.

Variations in normal coronary artery anatomy (See Media file 1)

Absence of the left main coronary artery with separate origin of the LAD and LCx coronary arteries from the left coronary sinus of the aorta has been described in roughly 1% of patients undergoing angiography and is considered a normal variant. In addition, one or more infundibular (conal) arteries may arise from separate ostia in the aorta. As many as 5 separate conal artery ostia have been reported in otherwise normal hearts. Minor variations in the location of ostia within the coronary sinuses of the aorta are observed frequently and are of no clinical significance.

Anomalous coronary arteries

The following table presents a classification of major isolated coronary artery anomalies. As seen, coronary artery anomalies may involve abnormalities of number, origin and/or course, termination, or structure of the epicardial coronary arteries.

Open table in new window

Abnormal number

In some individuals, certain left ventricular territories may be supplied by more than one coronary artery. Duplications of the LAD coronary artery, LCx coronary artery, and RCA have been reported.

• Dual LAD coronary artery consists of one short and another long artery and has been classified into 4 different subtypes.
  • In the most common form (type I), the short and long LAD coronary arteries originate from the normal LAD coronary artery proper. The shorter artery then runs in the anterior interventricular sulcus and terminates abruptly long before reaching the apex. The longer artery, however, runs on the anterior epicardial surface of the left ventricle and returns to the anterior interventricular sulcus in its distal one third and then continues on to the apex. All diagonal branches originate from the longer artery.
  • In the type II variety, the long LAD coronary artery courses over the anterior surface of the right rather than the left ventricle.
  • In the type III dual LAD coronary artery, the long artery has, at least partly, an intramyocardial (bridging) course. Unlike types I and II, the septal perforators arise from the long LAD and the diagonals arise from the short LAD coronary artery.
  • Finally, in the type IV variety, the short LAD coronary artery arises from the LM coronary artery and the long artery anomalously arises from the RCA and courses to the left side anterior to the right ventricular outflow tract.
• Duplications of the RCA have been reported with both single and double ostium in the right coronary sinus. The duplicate vessels may course together in the right atrioventricular groove and/or have separate courses with one coursing on the epicardial surface of the right ventricle. Both vessels give rise to right ventricular branches and generally 1 of the 2 gives off the posterior descending coronary artery.
• We have recently reported duplication of the LCx, or otherwise described as aberrant origin of one OM branch from the LAD, ramus intermedius, or diagonal branch of the LAD, in a case series of 24 patients (See Media file 2). In this instance, the anomalous OM courses parallel to the LCx coronary artery and supplies blood to the acute margin of the left ventricle.

Anomalous origin (see Media files 3-5)

Abnormalities of the origin of coronary arteries with subsequent normal epicardial course relate to the anomalous location of one or both coronary ostia. These include the origin of LM, LAD, LCx, or RCA from the pulmonary trunk. In addition, coronary arteries may originate directly from the left or right ventricles; the bronchial, internal mammary, subclavian, right carotid, or innominate arteries; the aortic arch; or the descending thoracic aorta. High takeoff of the left or right coronary ostia, defined as the location of the ostium of the left or right coronary artery more than 1 cm above the sinotubular junction, has been described.

Anomalous origin and course

Single coronary artery

• The entire coronary artery system may originate from a single ostium (solitary coronary ostium or single coronary artery) in the aorta. This solitary ostium is either located in the left or right coronary sinus of the aorta. When the LM coronary artery originates from the proximal RCA, or vice versa, the anomalous artery takes 1 of 4 aberrant pathways to reach its proper vascular territory. These pathways are designated as type A (A nterior to the right ventricular outflow tract), type B (B etween the aorta and pulmonary trunk), type C (C ristal, coursing through the crista supraventricularis portion of the septum), and type D (D orsal or posterior to the aorta).
• Single coronary arteries may also include the separate origin of the LAD and LCx coronary arteries from the proximal RCA. In this case, the LAD coronary artery takes one of the type A, B, or C pathways, and the LCx coronary artery takes either the B or D pathway. The LCx coronary artery may also originate from the distal RCA. In that case, the LCx coronary artery is merely a continuation of the RCA in the posterior atrioventricular groove. Overall, a total of 20 possible variations of single coronary artery have been described.

Origin from opposite coronary sinus

• Both the left and right coronary arteries may arise from separate ostia located in the same, either left or right, sinus of the aorta. In such cases, the anomalous vessels take 1 of the 4 possible courses to reach their proper territories similar to what was described above for the single coronary artery (types A-D).

Anomalous course

Otherwise normal coronary arteries may have an intramyocardial course (ie, myocardial bridge). This particular abnormality involves a variable length of the vessel and is observed most commonly in the proximal portion of the LAD coronary artery.

Anomalous termination (see Media file 6)

Major epicardial coronary arteries may terminate abnormally into one of the cardiac chambers, the coronary sinus, or the pulmonary trunk and, thus, produce fistulas. These fistulas can originate from the left coronary artery system (50-60%), right coronary artery system (30-40%), or both (2-5%). Most fistulas (90%) drain into the right heart.

Abnormal coronary structure

Both congenital stenosis and atresia of the coronary arteries have been described. Congenital epicardial coronary artery stenosis is usually caused by a membrane or a fibrotic ridge. Coronary artery atresia is characterized by the presence of an ostial dimple in the left or right aortic sinus that terminates in a cordlike fibrotic structure without a patent lumen. Atresia may also involve individual major epicardial coronary arteries. Hypoplastic coronary arteries have small luminal diameter (usually <1 mm) and reduced length. The latter is often associated with the absence of the posterior descending coronary artery.

Frequency

United States

Coronary artery anomalies are observed in 0.3-1.3% of patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography, in approximately 1% of routine autopsy examinations, and in 4-15% of young people who experience sudden death. In the general population, the incidence of a single coronary artery is approximately 0.024%, while coronary artery fistulas are found in 0.2% of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary artery fistulas are present in 0.002% of all patients with congenital heart disease. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is reported in 0.0003% of the general population. This anomaly is responsible for 18% of all cases of congestive heart failure in children younger than 2 years.

Mortality/Morbidity

Most coronary artery anomalies are clinically silent and do not affect the quality of life or lifespan of the affected individuals. Specific forms of anomaly, such as the origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk, the aberrant course of the arteries between the great vessels in association with anomalous and slitlike ostium, and large coronary artery fistulas, may be associated with sudden death, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, or endocarditis. Hypoplastic coronary arteries and high take-off of coronary ostia have been occasionally reported to have been associated with sudden death. The exact incidence of these associated clinical events is not known.

Sex

No differences have been reported in incidence of specific coronary artery anomalies among male and female subjects.

Age

• Origin of left main coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk manifests during early infancy.
• Other significant coronary anomalies usually result in symptoms during young adult life.
• The remaining anomalies generally are clinically silent and may be discovered incidentally during noninvasive or invasive diagnostic testing for unrelated symptoms.

Clinical

History

• Most patients with coronary artery anomaly remain asymptomatic either because the anomaly does not produce any symptoms during life or because the first manifestation is sudden death.
• In infants, myocardial ischemia may manifest as episodic crying, tachypnea, or wheezing. The infant may refuse to eat, presumably in order to avoid anginal pain.
• In older individuals, symptoms are reported in less than 30% of patients before a diagnosis of coronary anomaly is made. These generally include palpitation, exertional dyspnea, angina or syncope, fatigue, or fever. These symptoms rarely raise clinical suspicion for diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies.

Physical

Most coronary artery anomalies are discovered incidentally during noninvasive imaging, coronary angiography, or at autopsy and cause no clinical symptoms. However, particular subsets of these anomalies have been associated with sudden death, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, or bacterial endocarditis.

• Sudden death
  • This presentation has been observed in association with the origin of the left main or right coronary arteries from the opposite sinus of Valsalva and the type B (ie, between the aorta and pulmonary trunk) course of the anomalous vessel. This particular anomaly often is associated with a slitlike ostium and an obtuse takeoff of the proximal portion of the aberrant coronary artery. This combination may result in ischemia during exertion due to the stretching of the affected vessel that compromises blood flow at the ostium of the vessel. Increased cardiac output during exercise may also distend the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk and contribute to decreased blood flow through the anomalous coronary artery.
  • Sudden death also has been reported with congenital coronary artery structural abnormalities such as stenosis, hypoplasia, or atresia. Such structural abnormalities of the coronary arteries interfere with normal myocardial perfusion. Sudden death also has been reported in association with high takeoff of coronary arteries. The latter may lead to impairment of diastolic coronary artery flow. Ventricular fibrillation has been identified as the terminal event in some patients with coronary artery anomaly who have died suddenly during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring.
• Myocardial ischemia
  • In addition to abnormalities mentioned under sudden death, myocardial ischemia also may occur in patients with anomalous origin of the left and, occasionally, right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery or right ventricle. In this type of anomaly, myocardial ischemia primarily occurs because of low coronary perfusion pressure secondary to the relatively low pulmonary diastolic pressure.
  • Myocardial ischemia also may occur in the setting of a single coronary artery when the aberrantly coursing vessel terminates prematurely and the myocardium distal to the vessel is inadequately perfused.
  • Intramyocardial course of coronary arteries (ie, myocardial bridge) occasionally has been associated with myocardial ischemia. The mechanism of myocardial ischemia in this condition is not fully elucidated.
  • Large coronary artery fistulas also may reduce myocardial perfusion and, thus, cause ischemia.
• Congestive heart failure
  • Large coronary artery fistulas may result in right- or left-sided cardiac volume overload with or without symptoms of congestive heart failure. The hemodynamic effects of coronary artery fistulas depend on their site of drainage, diameter, and length. Drainage into the right heart produces left-to-right shunt with dilation of the right heart chambers and increase in pulmonary resistance. Eisenmenger syndrome has not been reported in association with such shunts. Drainage into the left heart produces left ventricular volume overload that may mimic aortic insufficiency clinically.
  • Heart failure also may be the predominant presentation in infants with the origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk. In the latter condition, the left ventricle appears dilated and globally hypokinetic on transthoracic echocardiography.
• Bacterial endocarditis: Coronary artery fistulas may result in an increased risk of infective endocarditis or endarteritis depending on the location of the fistula. The infection commonly involves the receiving chamber of the heart at the entrance site of the anomalous coronary artery.
• Physical findings generally are absent in most congenital coronary artery anomalies. The following signs may be present in patients with either anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery or a large coronary artery fistula:
  • Tachypnea and respiratory distress
  • Continuous precordial murmur
  • Systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation
  • S₃ or S₄ gallop rhythms
  • Cardiomegaly
  • Hepatomegaly
  • Edema
  • Peripheral cyanosis
  • Failure to thrive (infants)

Causes

The exact pathogenetic mechanisms for development of congenital coronary artery anomalies are not well understood. According to extensive embryologic studies, formation of a normal coronary arterial system depends on multiple morphologic features, including formation of cardiac sinusoids, development of coronary buds on embryologic aortopulmonary trunk, and selective connection between the 2 systems. Any malformation within these systems may lead to development of coronary artery anomalies.

• Some congenital heart diseases are found in association with coronary artery anomalies. These associations are especially strong in the following:
  • Truncus arteriosus, single coronary artery, and anterior coronary trunk crossing the outflow tract of the right ventricle
  • Transposition of the great arteries and ectopic origin of coronary ostia
  • Pulmonary valve atresia with intact ventricular septum and solitary coronary artery or coronary artery fistula draining into the right ventricle
  • Double outlet right ventricle and unpredictable coronary anatomy
  • Isolated aortic valve anomalies (such as bicuspid aortic valve) and ectopic origin of ostia, left coronary artery dominance, high takeoff of the left coronary artery, and shortening of the left main trunk
  • Tetralogy of Fallot and ectopic origin of the coronary arteries or coronary artery fistula draining into the pulmonary trunk
• Familial clustering: Isolated reports of specific coronary artery anomalies occurring in family members have appeared in recent years. However, to date, no definitive data on coronary inheritance pattern have been reported in humans.

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