Anomalous origin of the circumflex coronary artery presenting with ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Mar 9:2017:bcr2016219184. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-219184.

Abstract

We report a case of an incidental finding of an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery that effectuated a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest in a woman aged 34 years. This rarity was detected during routine work-up to delineate the cause of this arrhythmia. Our patient had a background of double-outlet right ventricle and a ventricular septal defect, which was repaired with a Dacron patch and a left ventricle patch over to the aorta at age 14 months. Angiographic study at the time of her presentation showed anomalous origin of the left circumflex artery originating from the right pulmonary artery; this was discussed in multispecialty team meeting and surgical intervention was recommended; eventually, surgery was performed with reimplantation of the anomalous circumflex artery into the ascending aorta. We highlight the importance of early angiographic studies in patients with known congenital heart defects and emphasise the optimal strategy of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / surgery*
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / surgery*