What is anomalous left coronary artery?
Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a congenital (present at birth) heart defect in which the left coronary artery arises abnormally from the pulmonary artery. Normally, the left and right coronary arteries arise from the aorta and supply blood with oxygen to the heart.
What is left coronary cusp?
Left main coronary artery disease (LMCD) is mainly caused by atherosclerotic stenosis. However, obstructed left coronary cusp (LCC) can be a cause of LMCD as well as a cause of severe aortic regurgitation rarely. A 62 year old woman with symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation was referred for aortic valve replacement.
What is an anomalous vessel?
Vascular anomalies are abnormalities or disorders of the vascular system, either in veins or arteries. Vascular anomalies are classified as either a vascular tumor or a vascular malformation. Blood is pumped through the body in tube-like structures called blood vessels. These vessels form a network.
How is anomalous coronary artery treated?
To treat this condition, your doctor can use angioplasty and a stent to fix the artery. The procedure is done with a thin, flexible tube (catheter) that has a tiny balloon at its tip. The catheter is put into a blood vessel in the groin or wrist. It’s then gently advanced to the coronary artery.
What is anomalous coronary artery?
An anomalous coronary artery (ACA) is a heart defect. This is something your baby is born with (congenital). In ACA, the blood vessels that supply blood to your child’s heart muscle aren’t normal. In some cases, the arteries don’t arise from the correct place, or there are other problems with size or connections.
What are cusps in the heart?
Cusp: In reference to heart valves, one of the triangular segments of the valve which opens and closes with the flow of blood. In reference to teeth, a raised area of the biting surface.
How many cusps do heart valves have?
Structure
| Valve | Number of flaps/cusps | prevent backflow of blood |
|---|---|---|
| Atrioventricular valves | 3 or 2 | From the ventricles into the atria |
| Tricuspid valve | 3 | |
| Bicuspid or mitral valve | 2 | |
| Semilunar valves | 3 (half-moon shaped) flaps | into the ventricle |
Can you live with an anomalous coronary artery?
Getting treatment for a blocked anomalous coronary artery can prevent serious problems. These include lack of blood to the heart muscle (ischemia), irregular heart rhythms, and sudden cardiac death. Some people with an anomalous coronary artery can be treated with medicines and lifestyle changes.
What is anomalous left circumflex coronary artery?
The most common coronary anatomic variation is the anomalous left circumflex artery (ALCx) that can be found in approximately 0.37 to 0.7% of all patients (3, 4). This anomaly arises from a separate ostium within the right sinus, or a very unusual as a proximal branch of the right coronary artery (RCA).
How serious is anomalous coronary artery?
Any problems with these arteries may lead to a heart attack or death. Many people with an ACA don’t know they have it until a severe event happens. These can include chest pain, a heart attack, or sudden death. Children with an ACA who are active or athletic may be at risk for sudden death.
How do you know if you have anomalous coronary artery?
An anomalous coronary artery may not cause any symptoms. Or it may cause symptoms such as chest pain or fainting with exercise, or abnormal heart rhythms. This may mean that the heart muscle is not getting enough blood. Getting treatment for a blocked anomalous coronary artery can prevent serious problems.
What does cusp mean medically?
