[Single coronary ostium: single coronary artery and ectopic coronary artery connected with the contralateral artery. How and why differentiating them?]

Abstract

Among the wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities of coronary arteries, a single coronary artery is often confused with an ectopic coronary artery connected with the contralateral coronary artery. Both abnormalities are characterized by a single coronary ostium, but they differ by the lack or not of an initial ectopic course. The prognosis of anomalous connections of coronary arteries depends mainly on the type of the initial course in relation to other cardiac structures. Therefore, the distinction between a single coronary artery and an ectopic coronary artery connected with the contralateral artery is of importance.

Keywords: Anomalies coronaires; Artère coronaire unique; Connexion anormale; Coronary abnormalities; Coronary ostium; Ectopic connection; Ostium coronaire; Single coronary artery.