Anomalous Connection of the Coronary Artery Causing ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: With an angiographic prevalence approaching 1%, Anomalous connections of the Coronary arteries (ANOCOR) are rare. The term connection is preferred over origin since the coronary arteries do not grow out of the aorta but grow into the aorta from the peri truncal ring of coronary arterial vasculature. Very often these anatomical shapes are incidental findings without clinical impact; however, in some specific cases, clinical symptoms may occur arriving to sudden cardiac death (SCD), this is particularly true when there is a an interarterial course between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary. Case Presentation: This case is about patient that we receive in emergency department presenting with an inferior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) which was found to be caused by compression of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk. Surgery was indicated by the heart team for the treatment of this condition. Conclusions: This case presents a severe manifestation of proximal anomalous connection of the right coronary artery with a “malignant” course between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This variant has been called malignant because of its association with sudden death especially in young asymptomatic athletes. In current guidelines for symptomatic ANOCOR with interarterial course the treatment recommended is surgery.