Giant coronary fistula aneurysm presenting as a progressing left-sided asymptomatic mediastinal mass with systolic dominant Doppler flow: a case report

Background Cases of giant coronary artery aneurysms associated with coronary fistula are rarely reported, and they present with various symptoms, including coronary steal syndrome. We report an uncommon case of an asymptomatic giant coronary fistula aneurysm presenting as a progressing left-sided mediastinal mass that has been tracked for years. Case summary A 67-year-old healthy asymptomatic woman was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on her chest radiography revealing a left-sided mediastinal mass that had progressed in size over the past 4 years. Computed tomography revealed mass progression from 4 cm to 5 cm in diameter within 2 years. Coronary computed tomography and coronary angiography identified a giant coronary artery aneurysm in a coronary fistula originating in the left anterior descending artery and draining into the main pulmonary artery. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography revealed a unique systolic-dominant flow. She underwent coronary artery aneurysmectomy and fistula ligation. The patient has been in good health without any events for 10 months since her discharge. Discussion A giant coronary artery aneurysm in a coronary fistula can present as an asymptomatic left-sided mediastinal mass that has progressed in size for years in older adults. Echocardiography can provide clues of the steal phenomenon in coronary artery fistula. A close investigation of mediastinal abnormalities can facilitate the detection of coronary aneurysms.

Multimodality Imaging Assessment of Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Left Main Coronary Artery Presenting With Syncope and Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare congenital abnormality associated with myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death. We present a case of a 20 year old previously healthy male presenting with exertional syncope and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary computed tomography angiography showed an anomalous left main coronary artery arising from the right coronary cusp with a slit-like appearance, acute angle origin, intramural course, and a subsequent inter-arterial course between the main pulmonary artery and the proximal aorta. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated myocardial infarction in the distribution of the left main coronary artery. The patient underwent successful surgical correction with unroofing of the left main coronary artery. He has had no syncopal episodes or recurrence of chest pain and returned to full duty status in the United States Marine Corps. This case report demonstrates the evaluation and management of a patient with AAOCA.

A Case of Isolated Bicuspid Pulmonic Valve and Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm

A 33-year-old woman with a history of thyroid surgery for thyroid cancer and radioactive iodine therapy was referred for echocardiography due to dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal left ventricular size and function (the ejection fraction = 55%), a prolapsing mitral valve with redundant chordae, mild mitral regurgitation, a tricuspid aortic valve, mild aortic insufficiency, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. The most remarkable echocardiographic findings were moderate right ventricular dilation with mild systolic dysfunction, moderate right atrial dilation, an aneurysmal pulmonary artery (the main pulmonary artery = 47 mm), mild pulmonary stenosis (the peak gradient = 22 mmHg), and severe pulmonary regurgitation (the vena contracta = 6–7 mm and the pressure half time = 105 ms). Transesophageal echocardiography with the use of 3D modalities demonstrated a bicuspid pulmonic valve with doming and poor coaptation of the pulmonic valve leaflets (Figure 1). Additionally, a large patent foramen ovale was visualized in color Doppler (the flap separation = 2 mm and the tunnel length = 11 mm) with bubble passage in agitated saline injection. Bicuspid pulmonic valves constitute a rare finding, and they are most often associated with other congenital heart diseases. Isolated bicuspid pulmonic valves are extremely rare, with an incidence rate of about 0.1% in clinical practice.1 Pulmonary artery aneurysms also comprise a rare abnormality, with an incidence rate of approximately 1 in 14 000 cases in most studies.2 The association between bicuspid pulmonic valves and pulmonary artery aneurysms has been reported, and the pathophysiologic causes of this association include hemodynamic alterations due to bicuspid pulmonic valves and most likely the abnormal migration of neural crest cells.3 The diagnosis of a bicuspid pulmonic valve by 2D imaging is challenging and sometimes impossible. Using 3D echocardiography and reconstruction confers a better assessment of the pulmonic valve morphology and identification of bicuspid pulmonic valves.

Modified autotransplantation technique for surgical resection of complex pericardial synovial sarcoma

Technical details for complex cardiac tumor resection are sparse. We describe the operative technique of modified autotransplantation for resection of a complex pericardial synovial sarcoma in a 63-year-old, Caucasian female. Surgical exposure demonstrated tumor origin at the superior cavoatrial junction and invasion of the aorta, main pulmonary artery, superior pulmonary veins, and left atrial roof. Full macroscopic surgical resection was achieved. The patient received adjuvant radiation for microscopic positive margins and remains alive and with no tumor progression at one year postoperatively. We conclude that modified autotransplantation is a challenging but effective surgical technique when performed with careful patient selection and availability of skilled, cardiothoracic surgeons at a cardiac center of excellence.

Repair of Anomalous Single Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery (ASCAPA)

We describe the management of an infant presenting with severe heart failure at 6 weeks of age found to have an anomalous single coronary artery originating from the main pulmonary artery (MPA). This patient was transferred to our hospital and ultimately had their coronary artery translocated to the ascending aorta successfully. Preoperative severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (MR) improved to normal function and mild-to-moderate MR 6 weeks postrepair. Three-dimensional CT reconstructions proved valuable and allowed for accurate preoperative planning leading to successful coronary transfer.

Extended double sleeve lobectomy combined with thoracic wall resection to treat a huge lung cancer

A 58-year-old man came to our hospital with numbness of the left arm, fatigue, and fever. A huge solid mass with necrotic changes located in the left upper lobe was noted on the computed tomography scan. The tumor directly invaded the extrathoracic wall, the left main pulmonary artery, and the superior segment of the lower lobe. To avoid pneumonectomy, a combination of an extended double sleeve lobectomy and thoracic wall resection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient has survived without any recurrence for 6 months postoperatively.

Ventricular Myocardial Deformation in Fetuses With Tetralogy of Fallot: A Necessary Field of Investigation

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart defects (CHDs). The patterns of fetal myocardial deformations in TOF have not been well-studied. This study aimed to assess biventricular myocardial deformations in fetuses with TOF compared with normal fetuses.Methods: A retrospective cohort study of fetuses with TOF and gestational age (GA)-matched controls was conducted at a single tertiary referral center from 2014 to 2020. All enrolled fetuses underwent detailed echocardiography, and four-chamber video-clips were recorded and analyzed offline for deformation assessment by using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Comparisons for baseline characteristics, cardiac morphological measurements (ventricular, atrial, and great arterial diameters or ratios, global sphericity index), systolic function parameters [ejection fraction (EF), fractional area change (FAC)], and strain parameters [global longitudinal strain (GLS), global longitudinal strain rate in systole and diastole (GLSRs, GLSRd)] were performed between fetuses with TOF and GA-matched controls.Results: Fifty-two fetuses with TOF and 52 GA-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Fetuses with TOF exhibited similar left ventricular (LV) EF (58.51 ± 5.11% vs. 57.59 ± 5.38%, P = 0.16) and right ventricular (RV) FAC (43.64 ± 2.89% vs. 44.27 ± 3.04%, P = 0.25), compared to normal fetuses. While, in deformational analysis, TOF fetuses demonstrated significantly lower LV and RV GLS values (−22.57 ± 2.91% vs. −27.39 ± 4.38%, P < 0.001 for LV GLS; −24.27 ± 3.18% vs. −28.71 ± 4.48%, P < 0.001 for RV GLS). Both LV GLS (r = −0.518, P < 0.001) and RV GLS (r = −0.534, P < 0.001) were found negatively correlated with the aortic valve-to-pulmonary valve diameter ratio (AV:PV ratio). Z-scores of PV annulus and main pulmonary artery (MPA) also had positive correlation with LV and RV GLS, respectively.Conclusions: Decreased biventricular myocardial deformations can appear even in fetuses with TOF with normal systolic ventricular function. Both LV and RV GLS values are correlated with the severity of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It indicates 2D-STE may be a more sensitive tool to assess fetal cardiac function than the conventional echocardiographic methods.

A Case of Malignant Right Coronary Artery: Frequent Angina in Young Person

Highlight:A young adult has activity-triggered atypical chest pain and diagnosed malignant RCA.Congenital anomalies needed to be aware by cardiologists to help clinical practice.Planning a treatment about management of the CAAs condition should be undertaken by the inter-specialist team. Abstract:We presented a case a young adult with activity-triggered atypical chest pain and diagnosed with anomalous origin of right coronary artery (RCA) from the left coronary sinus with an interarterial course between the aorta and the main pulmonary artery that was detected by CT coronary angiography. This anomaly has been called malignant RCA. Coronary artery anomaly is a congenital condition. Most of the cases remain asymptomatic. This condition is also one of the most causes of sudden cardiac death, because the coronary artery examination is not regularly done. Nevertheless, during high intensity activity, it could be symptomatic and might be lethal. Diagnosing coronary artery anomalies might be tricky and cardiologists must be aware of this. The CAAs condition is a rare situation. The CAAs condition is associated with sudden death, especially intense physical activity. There was no rigid guideline for the management of the CAAs condition, so that planning a treatment in the inter-specialist team should be done.

A gray zone in the literature: indications, options, and outcomes for surgical repair of pulmonary artery aneurysms

Pulmonary artery aneurysms are rare. They are characterised by an aneurysmatic dilatation of the pulmonary vascular bed, including the main pulmonary artery or the accompanying pulmonary artery branches. Increases in pulmonary flow and pulmonary artery pressure increase the risk of rupture: when these conditions are detected, surgical intervention is necessary. This study is a retrospective analysis of 33 patients treated in our paediatric cardiac surgery clinic from 2012 to 2020. Aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms in patients who were patched for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction and corrected with a conduit were excluded from the study. Seventeen (51.5%) of the patients included in the study were female and 16 (48.5%) were male. The patients were aged between 23 and 61 years (mean 30.66 ± 12.72 years). Graft interpositions were performed in 10 patients (30.3%) and pulmonary artery plications were performed in 23 patients (69.7%) to repair aneurysms. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (p > 0.05). Pulmonary artery aneurysm interventions are safe, life-saving treatments that prevent fatal complications such as ruptures, but at present there is no clear guidance regarding surgical timing or treatment strategies. Pulmonary artery interventions should be performed in symptomatic patients with dilations ≥5 cm or asymptomatic patients with dilations ≥8 cm; pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricular systolic pressure, and pulmonary artery aneurysm diameter must be considered when planning surgeries, their timing, and making decisions regarding indications. Experienced surgical teams can achieve satisfactory results using one of the following surgical techniques: reduction pulmonary arterioplasty, plication, or graft replacement.