single coronary artery anomaly: classification and evaluation using multidetector computed...
TRANSCRIPT
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Single Coronary Artery Anomaly: Classification and EvaluationUsing Multidetector Computed Tomography and MagneticResonance Angiography
Soma Mandal • Sameh S. Tadros • Shephaly Soni •
Shobhit Madan
Received: 14 May 2013 / Accepted: 14 September 2013 / Published online: 6 October 2013
� Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract The aim of this study was to use multidetector
computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance
(MRA) angiography to illustrate the classification and clinical
characteristics of single coronary artery anomaly (SCAA).
Retrospective evaluation of 22 adult and pediatric patients
with SCAA by way of a medical archiving system was per-
formed between June 2001 and August 2012. Imaging
modalities used for coronary artery evaluation included MRA
and MDCT angiography. Of the 22 patients, the majority
(n = 8; 36 %) showed an interarterial course, the subtype
having the worst prognosis. The retroaortic course (n = 3;
14 %) and course anterior to the pulmonary trunk (n = 3;
14 %) were the next most frequent patterns. Additional types
(n = 8; 36 %) included the following: L-I, R-III, septal, and
combined. Four patients (18 %) showed atherosclerotic
involvement. SCAA anomaly was diagnosed as an incidental
finding in the majority of patients evaluated initially for car-
diovascular diseases (n = 19; 86 %). Two patients (9 %)
required surgical interventions solely for their anomaly. Nine
patients (41 %) were found to have coexisting congenital
heart disease. Although conventional catheter angiography is
responsible for the current classification of SCAA, advanced
imaging modalities are useful in the evaluation of morpho-
logical and clinical characteristics of single coronary arteries.
Keywords Multidetector computed tomography �Magnetic resonance imaging � Angiography � Single
coronary artery anomaly � Congenital heart disease
Introduction
Single coronary artery anomaly (SCAA), a rare condition in
which the right coronary artery (RCA) or left coronary artery
(LCA) is absent from its respective coronary sinus of Valsalva,
has been discovered at autopsy for[250 years. First identified
posthumously in 1699 by Fantoni [13], SCAA was only
identified antemortem in 1967 through conventional catheter
angiography [14]. Because this condition presents with vari-
ous morphological variations, the development of classifica-
tion schemas has been attempted since the 1950s through
largely postmortem analysis [24, 32]. The main classification
system used today was developed in 1979 from the work of
Lipton et al. [19] using catheter angiography. Depending on
whether the motivation was functional or anatomical, multiple
schemas have been developed [1, 4, 7, 18, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34,
37]; however, Lipton et al.’s schema, as modified by Yama-
naka and Hobbs [38] in the 1990, has proven to be widely
adopted. Technology in modern medicine has allowed us to
visualize coronary vasculature, especially the proximal course
of the coronary artery, with superior sensitivity and specificity,
thus allowing for concrete classification evaluation of mor-
phological characteristics. In this study, we illustrate the
classification of SCAA with advanced, noninvasive imaging
modalities, such as magnetic resonance (MRA) and multide-
tector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography. Further-
more, we explore clinical features of SCAA subtypes
regarding (1) the manner in which they are typically diagnosed
and (2) the associated congenital and arterial pathologies.
SCAA Classification
SCAA incidence ranges from 0.24 to 0.66 % [11], but the
pretest probability of developing the anomaly is unknown.
S. Mandal � S. S. Tadros � S. Soni � S. Madan (&)
Department of Radiology, Cardiac Imaging, Pediatric Imaging
Research Center, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of University
of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh,
PA 15224, USA
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
123
Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449
DOI 10.1007/s00246-013-0798-x
It is diagnosed based on two criteria [2]: (1) the presence
of a single ostium in one coronary sinus combined with
the absence of an ostium in the opposite sinus and (2) lack
of origination of another coronary artery from an ectopic
site. Lipton et al.’s anatomic classification concerns the
origin (whether the vessel originates from the left [L] or
right [R] coronary sinus) and course of the aberrant vessel.
As seen in Fig. 1, the main types of SCAA include the
following: R-I, L-I, R-II-A/B/P, L-II-A/B/P, and R-III
along with mixed (M), septal (S), and combined (C),
which are applicable to either L or R types. Specifically,
group I (R-I, L-I) refers to a solitary vessel arising from
either the left or right coronary cusp with terminating left
or right branches; for example, the LCA would be
responsible for yielding right terminal branches. Group II
(R-II, L-II) is divided into three types depending on the
relationship of the aberrant vessel to the great vessels.
R-II-A designates both the RCA and LCA emerging from
the right coronary sinus with the LCA coursing anterior to
the pulmonary trunk; likewise, L-II-A designates the
opposite. R-II-B characterizes both the RCA and the LCA
originating from the right coronary sinus with the LCA
traveling in between the aorta and pulmonary trunk; L-II-
B characterizes the opposite. The final type within group II
is R-II-P, which characterizes the LCA and RCA origi-
nating from the right coronary sinus with the LCA trav-
eling posterior to the aorta; L-II-P characterizes the
opposite. R-III defines an absent LCA with the left ante-
rior descending and circumflex arteries arising from the
common trunk originating from right coronary cusp. Fig-
ure 1 also shows adjustments to these types: M types are
indicated when either the RCA or LCA branches from the
other versus branching at the site of the single ostium
shortly after the emergence from a single ostium. S types
characterize more distal behavior in which the LCA or
RCA, after emerging from a single coronary artery or
cusp, follows a transseptal course. C types characterize
anomalies in which multiple courses exist: Fig. 1 shows
the combination of R-II-P and S subtype under the C
subtype. Figure 2 further shows potential paths that can be
taken by a type II anomaly originating from the right
coronary cusp [19].
Fig. 1 Classification of SCAA in 3D and axial view as characterized by Lipton et al. [19] and Yamanaka and Hobbs [38]. A aorta, PA pulmonary
artery, cX circumflex artery, LAD left anterior descending, M mixed, C combined, S septal
442 Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449
123
Methods
Study Population
Three hundred two consecutive patients presenting with
nonspecific symptoms (e.g., angina, arrhythmias) and sus-
pected of coronary artery aberrations based on initial
evaluation using echocardiography or catheter angiography
were referred for further evaluation with MDCT from
[130,000 records in a medical archiving system from a
single institution between June 2001 and August 2012. Of
the 302 records, 87 patients showed some form of coronary
artery anomaly. Patients with SCAA specifically were
studied under Institutional Review Board approval. A total
of 22 patients were identified to have SCAA, which was
diagnosed by way of a combination of electrocardiograph-
ically gated (ECG-gated) CT angiography, and/or cardiac
MRA, and/or echocardiography, and/or catheter angiogra-
phy. Fourteen (64 %) children (mean age 11 years) and 8
(36 %) adults (mean age 54 years) comprised a cohort with
a blood supply that was predominantly (78 %) right domi-
nant (with the posterior descending branching from the
RCA). Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, and
results of nuclear medicine/stress tests are listed in Table 1.
Clinical data were obtained from patients’ medical and
imaging records.
Imaging Techniques
Several imaging techniques exist in the characterization of
coronary artery anomalies, including transthoracic echo-
cardiography, catheter coronary angiography, intravascular
ultrasound, MRA, and MDCT angiography [3]. In this study,
the use of MDCT for 18 patients and contrast-enhanced (or
nonenhanced) MRA for four patients was considered opti-
mal for the evaluation of SCAA. Of the 22 patients, 10
(n = 5 children, n = 5 adults) underwent catheter coronary
angiography. All patients underwent echocardiography
before further imaging. MDCT angiography with prospec-
tive and retrospective ECG gating used an average radiation
dose of 2.5 and 8.5 mSv, respectively. Radiation dose values
were calculated using the dose-length product. For patients
in whom MDCT angiography is contraindicated (i.e.
tachycardia, radiation exposure concerns), MRA is the next
modality used in this institution. Curved planar reformats,
three-dimensional (3D) volume rendering, endoluminal
imaging, and double-oblique plane methods were used for
single ostial visualization and general morphological eval-
uation (see Fig. 3a).
MDCT Angiography
Image acquisition patients were scanned with a 64-slice
MDCT scanner (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI). A
bolus of 3 mL/kg of Isovue 370 (Bracco Diagnostics,
Princeton, NJ) was injected intravenously at rate of 5.0 and
4.0 cc/s for adults and children, respectively. A target heart
rate \65 beats per minute was achieved by administration
of beta blockers or calcium-channel blockers to provide a
stable heart rate and avoid motion artifacts during imaging.
For image acquisition of higher heart rates, burst and burst-
plus techniques were used. Respiration was suspended for
10 s during image acquisition, and imaging was performed
using a retrospective or prospective ECG-gated MDCT
protocol depending on subject heart rate at the time of
imaging for dose modulation.
MR Imaging and Angiography
Image acquisition MR imaging was performed using a 1.5-
Tesla MR scanner (CV/I; GE Medical Systems). Steady-
state free-precision pulse sequence with breath hold in
axial, sagittal, and coronal planes at the level of aortic root
was used for cinematographic coronary artery imaging. 3D
contrast-enhanced MRA was performed with intravenous
administration of gadolinium contrast agent, 0.15 mmol/kg
(Multihance; Bracco), and 3 mm–thick slices at 1.5-mm
spacing.
Results
Of the 22 patients with SCAA (Table 2), the majority
(n = 8, 36 %) showed an interarterial course or type II-B
anomaly (Fig. 4). Type II-P (n = 3, 14 %) patients showed
the aberrant vessel coursing posterior to the aorta (Fig. 5).
Three cases of R-II-A (14 %) were diagnosed (Fig. 6) with
Fig. 2 Example of subtypes of R-II SCAA. The origin of the single
artery in an R-II classification occurs at the left coronary sinus of
Valsalva and can travel anteriorly (R-II-A), interarterially (R-II-B), or
retroaortically (R-II-P). PA pulmonary artery, RCC right coronary
cusp of aorta, LCC left coronary cusp of aorta, NCC noncoronary cusp
of aorta
Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449 443
123
two of these cases showing a mixed trunk (Fig. 7). Other
subtypes (n = 8, 36 %) represented included L-I, S
(Figs. 8c, 9), and R-III subtype (Fig. 10). Nine patients
(41 %) showed a coexisting congenital heart disease
(CHD) (Table 2). Within our cohort, 4 (18 %) pediatric
patients showed atherosclerosis (Fig. 3b), and 50 % of the
adults assessed showed atherosclerosis. Half of the patients
(n = 11) were managed with medications tailored to their
presenting symptoms (e.g., antiarrhythmics) or were sent
home with plans to monitor the progression of cardiac
symptoms. Although nine patients were managed surgi-
cally for associated CHD, only two patients required
Table 1 Patient demographics and symptoms and nuclear medicine/stress test results
Patient
no.
Sex Age
(year)
Height
(in)
Weight
(lb)
Body surface
area (m2)
Blood flow
dominance
Reasons for
CT/MR imagingaNuclear medicine/
stress test results
1 F 0.5 24.4 11.0 0.3 L 9 NP
2 M 7 51.2 59.4 1.0 R 6 Normal
3 F 7 52.8 77.0 1.1 R 5 NP
4 F 7 48.8 39.6 0.8 R 5 NP
5 F 8 52.76 61.6 1.0 R 2 NP
6 M 10 58.8 123.2 1.5 R 10 Normal
7 M 12 63.6 105.6 1.5 L 11 NP
8 F 14 57.6 121.0 1.5 L 3 NP
9 M 14 60.8 121.0 1.5 R 4, 7 SA node disease
10 F 14 67.2 167.2 1.9 L 1, 2, 3, 4 No ischemia
11 F 15 66.8 103.4 1.5 R 4 BBB
12 M 16 66 127.6 1.6 R 5 No ischemia
13 M 16 71.6 222.2 2.0 R 12 NP
14 F 17 64 112.2 1.5 R 1, 3, 4 Sinus rhythm, BBB
15 M 23 71.2 189.2 2.0 L 1, 3, 4 PVB
16 F 40 65.2 158.4 1.8 R 3 Antero-apical ischemia
17 M 53 66.4 143.0 1.8 R 3 NP
18 F 57 62 150.0 1.7 R 3 NP
19 M 58 74 209.0 2.2 R 3, 4, 8 Mild inferior ischemia
20 M 62 71 216.0 2.2 R 3 Normal
21 M 65 69.6 212.5 2.2 R 13 NP
22 M 71 69.2 161.9 1.9 R 3 ST depression, inferior
ischemia
NP not performed, SA sinoatrial, BBB bundle branch block, PVB premature ventricular beatsa Symptoms key: 1 difficulty breathing, 2 syncope, 3 chest pain, 4 arrhythmia, 5 suspected coronary artery aberration from echocardiographic
evaluation, 6 status post-heart transplant, 7 cardiac arrest, 8 angina, 9 cyanosis, 10 family history of early cardiac death, 11 history of congenital
heart disease, 12 poor cardiac function, 13 history of coronary artery disease and anomalous coronary courses
Fig. 3 Techniques used in the preliminary evaluation of SCAA.
a Endoluminal view confirms the presence of a single ostium.
b Curved planar reformat shows atherosclerotic plaques in an adult
patient with SCAA. c Volume-rendered imaging showing the
common origin and the rest of the vascular tree. d Catheter
angiography showing SCAA
444 Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449
123
surgical intervention, one each of solely coronary unroo-
fing and bypass grafting, for their SCAA. Other patients
underwent surgery and stent placement for either CHD or
atherosclerosis. Of those patients who were medically
managed, classification types included the following: II-P
(n = 3), II-B (n = 2), and a mix of other subtypes (n = 6).
Of those surgically managed for associated conditions,
subtypes were II-B (n = 3) and a mix of other subtypes
Table 2 SCAA classification, morphological dimensions, and associated conditions and management
Patient
no.
Classification Associated conditions Cardiac cycle
phase (%)
CT dose
(mSv)
Atherosclerotic
involvement
Patient management
1 LII-P TOF, PA, HAA, COA 50 N/A None Routine follow-up
2 LII-B Isolated 75 1.5 None Routine follow-up
3 RII-B Functional murmur 84 2.1 None Routine follow-up
4 RIII Murmur 50 7.3 None OI
5 RII-S DCRV, VSD 80 5.9 None Surgical management, DCRV
6 RII-C Isolated 50 7.6 None Routine follow-up
7 LII-P Heterotaxy syndrome, COA,
BAV, VSD
75 8.2 None Routine follow-up
8 RIII TS, BAV, DAA MR MR None Routine follow-up
9 L-I DORV, DAR 75 4.1 None Surgical, dual-chamber pacemaker
10 LII-B Isolated 80 3.4 None Surgical-RCA unroofing
11 NA DORV, AA, VSD, DVAA, PCS MR MR None Routine follow-up
12 LII-B Isolated 75 13.5 None Surgical, coronary unroofing
13 RII-A TOF, VSD, PS MR MR None Surgical-PV replacement
14 RII-P DORV, VSD, BSCV MR MR None Routine follow-up
15 L-I SF, CSS 75 5.7 None Routine follow-up
16 RII-B Isolated 75 N/A None Surgical, CA bypass grafting
17 RII-B CAD, severe stenosis 78 7.5 Severe Surgical, CA revascularization
18 RII-B CAD, moderate stenosis 75 19.1 None OI
19 RII-A-M Isolated 75 33.9 None Routine follow-up
20 RII-A-M CAD, moderate/severe stenosis 75 NA Severe Surgical-stent placement
21 RII-S CAD, nonobstructive atherosclerosis 75 6.4 Moderate Routine follow-up
22 LII-B CAD, mild stenosis 75 9.6 Severe Surgical, stenting of RCA
SCAD single coronary artery ostial diameter, SCAOA single coronary artery ostial area, NA not available or not able to delineate, OI outside
institution, CA coronary artery, PV pulmonary vein, TOF tetralogy of Fallot, PA pulmonary atresia, AA aortic atresia, HAA hypoplastic aortic
arch, COA coarctation of aorta, DCRV double-chamber right ventricle, VSD ventricular septal defect, BAV bicuspid aortic valve, DAA dilated
ascending aorta, DAR dilated aortic root, DORV double-outlet right ventricle, TS Turner’s syndrome, DVAA double-vessel aortic arch, PCS
pulmonic conduit stenosis, PS pulmonary stenosis, CSS congenital subaortic stenosis, SF septal fibroma, CAD coronary artery disease, BSCV
bilateral superior caval veins
Fig. 4 Type II-B or interarterial courses of SCAA. a Contrast-
enhanced CT axial image of type LII-B SCAA with the LCA coursing
between the aorta (A) and the pulmonary artery (PA). b Volume-
rendered image of the same patient. c Contrast-enhanced MDCT axial
oblique view of RII-B SCAA with the RCA traversing interarterially
Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449 445
123
(n = 6). High-risk indication for surgery in two patients
(9 %) was present for classification types L-II-B and R-II-
B, which involve interarterial courses originating from the
left and right coronary sinus, respectively. In terms of
discovery, SCAA was diagnosed as (1) an incidental
finding in a patient with a CHD (n = 8, 36 %), (2) an
incidental finding in a patient (n = 5, 23 %) without
symptoms attributable to a coronary anomaly, (3) a pos-
sible or likely culprit in a patient with ischemic or
arrhythmic symptoms (n = 1, 5 %), and (4) an incidental
finding in a patient with ischemic or arrhythmic symptoms
and significant atherosclerosis (n = 5, 23 %).
Discussion
The goals of this study were to use MDCT and MR angi-
ography to (1) illustrate the classification and (2) determine
the clinical characteristics and correlations of SCAAs.
Regarding the first aim, the illustration of SCAA classifi-
cation, this study is one of the largest characterized to date.
Two other large series are notable: Fifty-four SCAA cases
were identified from [126,000 patients undergoing coro-
nary angiography between 1960 and 1988 [38], and 33
SCAA cases were identified from 50,000 patients under-
going coronary angiography between 1973 and 1991 [11].
Although catheter angiography has been classically used in
the diagnosis of SCAA [14, 19, 24, 32, 38], this study used
MDCT and MR angiography as the optimal diagnostic
tools in coronary artery evaluation. Of the pediatric cohort
(n = 14), 10 (71 %) children were evaluated solely with
MDCT angiography without the use of MRA.
In addition, the clinical correlations of SCAA were
profiled in the context of (1) associated congenital and
arterial pathologies and (2) the manner in which the
anomalies are typically diagnosed. Specifically, the pre-
sence of atherosclerosis is supported by our cohort, but its
overall association with SCAA is still controversial [21,
26]. In addition, SCAA is associated with several CHDs,
including tetralogy of Fallot, coronary arteriovenous fis-
tula, bicuspid aortic valve, truncus arteriosus, ventricular
septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, patent foramen
Fig. 5 CT of type II-P SCAA or single coronary arteries posterior to
the aorta. a LII-P–classified anomaly with the proximal course of the
RCA arching posterior to the aorta (A). b Another LII-P–classified
SCAA seen with both the LCA and RCA branching from the common
origin. c The distal course an LII-P–classified anomaly is seen with
the RCA running posterior to the aorta
Fig. 6 Contrast-enhanced MRA of the RII-A subtype. a Axial view
of the proximal course of the LCA branching from the aorta (A) and
travelling anterior to the pulmonary artery (PA). b Oblique reformat-
ted image of the proximal and distal course of the LCA moving
anteriorly to the PA
Fig. 7 MDCT angiography of
mixed trunks or type II-M.
a Curved planar reformatted
image showing the LCA
branching from the RCA.
b Oblique view showing LCA
branching sharply curving from
the RCA
446 Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449
123
ovale, and transposition of the great vessels [24, 29, 36].
Further investigation is needed to determine the genetic
association or causation between SCAA and other con-
genital abnormalities.
In terms of the clinical diagnosis of SCAA, or our
second part aim, SCAA was usually discovered in the
following ways: (1) an incidental finding in a patient
(usually a child) with a CHD (majority of the cohort); (2)
an incidental finding in a patient without symptoms
attributable to a coronary anomaly (n = 5, 23 %), often a
child evaluated for a murmur or for nonanginal chest pain;
(3) a possible or likely culprit in a patient with ischemic or
arrhythmic symptoms (n = 1, 5 %); and (4) an incidental
finding in a patient (usually an older adult) with ischemic
or arrhythmic symptoms and significant atherosclerosis,
which was more likely to be the cause of the symptoms
(n = 5, 23 %).
In terms of the clinical relevance and management of
subtypes, SCAA is clinically most significant when the
anomalous course of the vessel is either interarterial or
when the aberrant vessel traverses between the aorta and
the pulmonary arterial trunk (Figs. 1 [type II-B], 2). These
Fig. 8 Contrast-enhanced MDCT angiography of RII-S subtypes.
a Short-axis view showing the proximal and transseptal distal course
of the LCA. b Oblique reformatted image of the proximal course of
the LCA inferior to the pulmonary trunk. c MDCT angiography
allows the distal transseptal course of LCA to be clearly seen
Fig. 9 Contrast-enhanced MRA of combined subtypes for the RCA
or the R-II-C subtype. a Axial view showing the common origin of
the SCAA. b Proximally, the axial view shows an interarterial course
of the LCA. c Distally, the axial view shows the transseptal course of
the LCA for the same patient
Fig. 10 R-III subtype. a 3D
volume-rendered image of a
single coronary artery (SCA)
giving rise to an RCA, which
bifurcates into the left anterior
descending (LAD) and
circumflex (cX) arteries. b CT
angiography of the RCA
branching into the LAD and cX
arteries in axial view
Pediatr Cardiol (2014) 35:441–449 447
123
arteries have been documented as causing angina or sudden
cardiac death due to the interarterial course and compres-
sion of the aberrant coronary artery by exertional expan-
sion (from moderate to heavy physical activity) of the great
vessels [5, 36]. Other possible contributors include vaso-
spasm of the aberrant vessel or an intramural course; sur-
gical options include ostioplasty and bypass grafting of the
aberrant vessel [39]. Moreover, the alternative anatomy of
coronary arteries affects surgical repair of other CHD
associated with the SCAA [16, 31]. In addition, patients
with a complete intraseptal coronary course may be at high
risk for ischemic myocardial injuries [10]. Although sud-
den death for type II-B has been documented [8, 17, 22],
the clinical relevance for other subtypes remains unclear
[4]. For these subtypes, good prognoses without a decrease
in life expectancy or need for surgery have been reported
[12, 20, 25, 29]. Current research supports that medical
therapy resolved most presenting symptoms for patients
with SCAA that was neither interarterial (or type II-B) nor
septal [6, 9, 33, 35]. The next step of this study in particular
would be to follow-up patients and track clinical outcomes
of various subtypes within the cohort. Given sample size
limitations and lack of data in long-term follow-up, it is
difficult to correlate subtype to clinical outcomes.
Multidetector computed tomography angiography post-
processing techniques, including multiplanar reconstruc-
tion, maximum intensity projection, and 3D volume
rendering, assist in the clinical interpretation of the proxi-
mal course of the artery, its relationship to the great ves-
sels, as well as the ostial morphology (e.g., whether it is
single or not) because they are better characterized com-
pared with conventional angiography. Endoluminal imag-
ing, which is not possible in catheter angiography, also is
critical for assessing ostial morphology, a key feature in
defining SCAA.
In addition to better visualization of the SCAA itself,
MDCT angiography also allows for diagnosis of obstruc-
tive coronary artery disease, and invasive angiography can
be safely avoided in the majority of these patients. There is
also the potential for significant radiation dose decrease
using new emerging CT techniques, such as iterative
image-reconstruction technique [23] and dual-source
MDCT angiography [15].
Conclusion
Antemortem classification and characterization of SCAA
was devised within the last 30 years despite the discovery
of the arterial anomaly centuries ago. Conventional cath-
eter angiography is responsible for the current classifica-
tion schema and understanding of SCAA. MDCT and MR
angiography are advanced imaging modalities useful in the
exploration of the morphological dimensions as well as the
associated clinical pathologies. As a class of anomaly,
SCAA is considered relatively benign but warrants clinical
monitoring if an interarterial course is identified on cardiac
imaging. Cardiac MDCT and MR angiography allow for
accurate evaluation of coronary ostial morphology, coro-
nary course (especially proximal), endoluminal assessment,
and plaque characterization compared with conventional
imaging modalities.
Limitations
Although an association was found between SCAA and
CHD, it is possible that some selection bias occurred
because patients with CHD are more likely to be referred to
imaging compared with asymptomatic patients. Although
this association has been well shown, our findings of 41 %
of SCAA patients presenting concurrently with CHD may
be overstated due to the inability to capture more patients
who have isolated SCAA with no obvious presentation.
Furthermore, when compared with all coronary artery
anomalies, the prevalence of SCAA may be overstated due
to overrepresentation of specialized pediatric disorders at
this institution.
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