Visualization of anomalous coronary arteries on dual-source computed tomography

• Published in: European radiology Vol. 18; no. 11; pp. 2425 - 2432
• Main Authors: de Jonge, G. J., van Ooijen, P. M. A., Piers, L. H., Dikkers, R., Tio, R. A., Willems, T. P., van den Heuvel, A. F. M., Zijlstra, F., Oudkerk, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.11.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Asymptomatic; Cardiac; Cardiovascular disease; Catheters; Congenital diseases; Coronary Angiography - methods; Coronary Vessel Anomalies - diagnostic imaging; Coronary vessels; Diagnostic Radiology; Female; Fistula; Heart; Humans; Imaging; Internal Medicine; Interventional Radiology; Ischemia; Male; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Neuroradiology; Patients; Pulmonary arteries; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Radiology; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Ultrasound; Visualization; Coronary angiography; Heart abnormalities; Dual-source computed tomography; Coronary artery anomalies
• ISSN: 0938-7994; 1432-1084
• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-008-1110-y

The purpose of this study is to assess the capability of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in evaluating coronary artery anomalies. Early detection and evaluation of coronary artery anomalies is essential because of their potential association with myocardial ischemia and sudden death. In 16 patients (12 men, mean age 50 ± 14 years), anomalous coronary arteries were detected on contrast-enhanced DSCT in a patient cohort of 230 individuals (incidence of 7%). Six different types of anomalies were diagnosed (three fistula, four anomalies of the circumflex artery, four anomalous right coronary arteries, three anomalies of the left coronary artery, one absent left main coronary artery, and one left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary trunk). Of the 16 patients, 10 also underwent conventional coronary angiography (CAG). Retrospective evaluation of the CAGs by an experienced interventional cardiologist resulted in a precise diagnosis in 50% of patients. With DSCT, sufficient image quality and exact visualization of the aberrant anatomy were achieved in all patients. Therefore, DSCT seems to be an accurate diagnostic tool for examining the precise origin, course, and shape of aberrant coronary arteries.