Korean Circ J.  2013 Jan;43(1):7-12. 10.4070/kcj.2013.43.1.7.

Prevalence of Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies of Korean Men Detected by Coronary Computed Tomography

• Park JH
• Kwon NH
• Kim JH
• Ko YJ
• Ryu SH
• Ahn SJ
• Kim YJ
• Baeg JY
• Kim JI

• KMID: 1722995
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2013.43.1.7

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
It has been demonstrated that the anomalous origin of coronary arteries (AOCA) are generally asymptomatic and rare diseases. However, some cases can cause severe life threatening events. To detect these anomalies, coronary angiographies and autopsies were used to detect coronary artery anomalies, but these procedures have limitations because of their invasiveness. The new device, Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT), now replaces the method of choice for detecting coronary anomalies. The prevalence of these anomalies in Korea has not been studied yet. This present analysis attempted to determine the prevalence of AOCA in Korean men by MDCT.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
1582 Korean male police officers underwent coronary MDCT for their health screening voluntarily. After reconstruction of CT images, we could confirm coronary artery anomalies.
RESULTS
The prevalence of AOCA in Korean men was 1.14% (18 out of 1582 cases). The most common abnormality (11 cases, 0.70%) was the origin of the coronary artery. Anomalies of the coronary artery end point were observed in 5 cases (0.32%). The anomalous location of coronary ostium on the aortic root was observed in 1 case (0.06%). An anomalous collateral vessel was observed in 1 case (0.06%).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of coronary artery anomalies in Korean men was 1.14%. Coronary CT is a safe and noninvasive modality for detecting coronary anomalies.

Keyword

Coronary vessel anomalies; Multidetector computed tomography; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Vessel Anomalies
Coronary Vessels
Humans
Korea
Male
Mass Screening
Multidetector Computed Tomography
Police
Prevalence
Rare Diseases

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Anomalous origin of right coronary artery. A: volume-rendered CT image shows RCA (white arrow) and LCA (black arrow) arising from the left coronary sinus. RCA with a course between Ao and PA. B: CT image shows high interarterial course. An anomalous RCA ostium (black arrow) from the left coronary sinus is located between the Ao and the RVOT above the pulmonary valve (white arrow). C: CT image shows low interarterial course. An anomalous RCA ostium (black arrow) from the left coronary sinus is located between the Ao and the RVOT below the pulmonary valve (white arrow). RCA: right coronary artery, LCA: left main coronary artery, Ao: aorta, PA: pulmonary artery, RVOT: right ventricular outflow tract.

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  Fig. 2 Fistula between proximal LAD and pulmonary trunk. Volume rendered CT image shows fistula (white arrow) between proximal LAD (black arrow) and pulmonary artery. LAD: left anterior descending coronary artery, Ao: aorta, PA: pulmonary artery.

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  Fig. 3 Anomalous location of coronary ostium within aortic root or near proper aortic sinus of Valsalva. A: volume rendered CT image shows anormalous orgin of RCA (black arrow) and LCA (white arrow) from left noncoronary sinus (high take off). B: CT image shows RCA (black arrow) from left noncoronay sinus, interarterial course, LCA (white arrow) from left noncoronary sinus. RCA: right coronary artery, LCA: left main coronary artery.

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