Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: surgical re-implantation into the aorta

Abstract

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is rare (only 200 cases have been reported in total), potentially life-threatening and with an uncertain prognosis. Patient characteristics are only available in half the reported cases. Easy to miss, anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is usually diagnosed in association with concomitant cardiac anomalies. Techniques for its correction are rarely discussed, but the restoration of a two-coronary system is optimal. We report details of the surgical repair of ARCAPA in a 17-year-old man to highlight important anatomical features.

Keywords: ARCAPA; Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery; Congenital heart diseases; Coronary vessel anomalies; Re-implantation.