9 cases of anomalous origin of a coronary artery

Introduction and objectives: Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ACAPA) is a rare coronary malformation, its impact on cardiac anatomy and function make it very interesting. We describe our experience in the diagnosis and the surgical correction of ACAPA. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients diagnosed and treated with ACAPA from 1997 through 2012 at our institution. Results: A total of 9 cases were treated at our center over a 15-year period. 6 patients were diagnosed following a heart murmur, while 3 debuted with heart failure. Translocation was made from the coronary artery from the pulmonary artery to the aorta in the 8 patients. Myocardial function improved in 2 of the 3 patients who had been compromised, the postoperative survival rate was 100%, one patient died before surgery. 7 patients had some degree of mitral regurgitation before surgery, we find that this intervention improved the mitral regurgitation in 5 patients, remained unchanged in one patient and mitral valve prosthesis was required in another. Conclusions: We found that the ACAPA is not easy to diagnose, it is very important clinical suspicion and early treatment to prevent serious cardiac lesions. (C) 2013 Sociedad Espanola de Cirugia Toracica-Cardiovascular. Published by Elsevier Espana, S. L. All rights reserved.