Haemodynamic significance of an anomalous right coronary with inter-arterial course assessed with intracoronary pressure measurements during dobutamine challenge

Int J Cardiol. 2008 May 23;126(2):e32-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.01.015. Epub 2007 Apr 10.

Abstract

Autopsy studies have associated congenital coronary anomalies with the risk of sudden cardiac death. However, not all patients with anomalous coronary arteries die suddenly. A means of assessing the potential for ischaemia and thus predicting the risk of sudden death in these patients may be necessary for directing treatment. We present the case of a patient with an anomalous right coronary artery originating from the aortic wall above the left sinus of Valsalva, with an anterior inter-arterial course. The haemodynamic significance of this anomaly was assessed using intracoronary pressure-wire measurements at rest and during dobutamine stress. This technique could be a valid means for assessing stress-induced ischaemia and, therefore, by inference, the risk of sudden cardiac death in these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Coronary Angiography / methods
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / physiopathology
  • Coronary Vessels / drug effects
  • Coronary Vessels / physiology
  • Dobutamine* / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Hemodynamics / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Dobutamine