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Anomalous origin of the main stem of the left coronary artery from the non-facing sinus of valsalva associated with sudden death in a young athlete

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2008

Yuji Hamamichi
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics, Toyama, Japan
Eikichi Okada
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan
Fukiko Ichida*
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics, Toyama, Japan
*
Dr Fukiko Ichida, Department of Pediatrics. Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical & Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, Toyama 930–0194, Japan Tel 81–76–434–7312 Fax 81–76–434–5029, E-mail fukiko@ms.eoyama-mpu.ac.jp

Abstract

A young female athlete is described with anomalous origin of the main stem of the left coronary artery from the non-facing sinus of Valsalva who sustained myocardial infarction and died suddenly after physical exertion. Autopsy findings illustrated the mechanistic importance of acute angle take-off of the left main coronary artery and a slit-like orifice, which was likely compressed and obstructed by acute expansion of the aortic wall. This rare type of coronary anomaly has been regarded as having little clinical significance, but it can lead to sudden cardiac death under physical exertion.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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