Coronary artery anomalies: the prevalence of origination, course, and termination anomalies of coronary arteries detected by 64-detector computed tomography coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of origination, course, and termination anomalies of coronary arteries, all of which were detected by 64-detector coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

METHODS

Images of 2096 patients who underwent CTA were evaluated retrospectively to determine coronary artery anomalies (CAAs).

RESULTS

Anomalies in origin and course were detected in 1.96% of the cases. The prevalence rates of the right coronary artery (RCA) branching from the left coronary sinus, the circumflex artery from the right coronary sinus (RCS) or from the RCA, absence of the left main coronary artery, and high takeoff coronary arteries were similar and seen in 0.43% of the cases. The left main coronary artery originating from the RCS, a single coronary ostium from the RCS, the circumflex artery from the distal RCA, and the RCA from the pulmonary artery were observed in 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.05%, and 0.05% of the cases, respectively. A coronary artery fistula, which is a termination anomaly, was detected in 0.33% of the patients. The presence of coronary atherosclerosis with CAAs was less than the study group that was statistically not significant (64.6% vs 72.5%, P = 0.213).

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography angiography provides essential information about CAAs to interventional cardiologists and surgeons that helps to prevent incorrect procedures by showing the exact origin, complex anatomy, course, and termination of the coronary arteries.