Utilization of Cardiac Graft with Single Coronary Artery for Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

Anomalous coronary arteries arise in a small subset of the population, with each configuration conveying a varying degree of long-term risk. In this report, we describe the discovery of an anomalous single coronary artery with the left main coronary artery arising from the right coronary ostium in a 40-year old male evaluated for cardiac donation. After evaluation, this heart was successfully procured and utilized for orthotopic heart transplantation.

Computational Assessment of Hemodynamic Significance in Patients with Intramural Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Coronary Artery Using Virtually Derived Fractional Flow Reserve and Downstream Microvascular Resistance

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is the second most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. One of the hypothesized mechanisms of ischemia in these patients is the lateral compression of the anomalous artery with an intramural or interarterial course. The presence of a narrowing in the anomalous artery will cause physiologic changes in downstream resistance that should be included for computational assessment of possible clinical ramifications. In the current study, we created different compression levels, i.e., proximal narrowing, in the intramural course of a representative patient model and calculated virtual fractional flow reserve (vFFR). Models also included the effect of the distal hyperemic microvascular resistance (HMR) on vFFR. Our results were in agreement with similar FFR studies indicating that FFR was increased with increasing HMR, and that different compression levels could have similar FFR depending on the HMR. For example, vFFR at HSR:1.0-1.3 and HMR: 2.30 mmHg/cm/s is 0.68 and close to vFFR at HSR:0.6-0.7 and HMR: 1.6 mmHg/cm/s, which is 0.7. The current findings suggest that functional assessment of anomalous coronary arteries through FFR should consider the vascular resistance distal to the narrowing in addition to the impact of a proximal narrowing and provides computational approaches for implementation of these important considerations.

Heart failure in an elderly man: where is that coronary?

Anomalous coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery are uncommon causes of heart failure in the adult population. This case demonstrates the unusual presentation in a patient with anomalous right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery and discusses the complex pathophysiology of this lesion and the role of guideline-directed medical therapy in the management of these patients.

Hemodynamic Relevance of Anomalous Coronary Arteries Originating From the Opposite Sinus of Valsalva-In Search of the Evidence

Coronary artery anomalies (CAA) represent a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders of the arterial coronary circulation, defined by an anomalous origin of the coronary ostium and/or vessel course. Of particular interest are anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS). The interarterial variants (with the anomalous vessel situated between the great arteries) are historically called “malignant,” based on an anticipated higher risk for myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death (SCD), especially affecting young patients during strenuous physical activity. However, the interarterial course itself may not be the predominant cause of ischemia, but rather represents a surrogate for other ischemia-associated anatomical high-risk features. As the exact pathophysiology of ACAOS is not well-understood, there is a lack of evidence-based guidelines addressing optimal diagnostic work-up, downstream testing, sports counseling, and therapeutic options in patients with ACAOS. Therefore, treating physicians are often left with uncertainty regarding the clinical management of affected patients. This review focuses on the pathophysiologic consequences of ACAOS on myocardial ischemia and discusses the concept of the interplay between fixed and dynamic coronary stenosis. Further, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the different diagnostic modalities and give an outlook by highlighting the gaps of knowledge in the assessment of such anomalies.