Single coronary artery syndrome: cardiac computed tomography angiography as a leading imaging modality

Abstract

Single coronary artery syndrome is usually an asymptomatic condition in most patients; thus most patients are diagnosed when noninvasive imaging (cardiac computed tomography angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance) or invasive coronary angiography is done for evaluation for other cardiac conditions. With advances using cardiovascular imaging in the evaluation and management of single coronary artery syndrome; Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a very essential and leading imaging modality. CCTA has the best resolution (spatial and temporal) among the imaging modalities available for analyzing the cardiovascular system for the diagnosis and management of single coronary artery syndrome. We are presenting cases of patients with single coronary artery syndrome with 3 different courses (anterior, septal, inter-arterial), illustrating how CCTA gives a detailed anatomic/structural evaluation of the origin and course of the coronary arteries, and other cardiac structures. Thus in patients diagnosed with single coronary artery syndrome, CCTA can provide vital information on the not only the course, but the associated narrowing of coronary vessels.