Congenital anomalies of coronary arteries in complex congenital heart disease: diagnosis and analysis with dual-source CT.

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are sometimes associated with coronary artery anomalies (CAAs). Accurate preoperative evaluation of coronary artery anatomy is essential for successful surgical repair of complex CHD.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of congenital CAAs in patients with complex CHD at dual-source CT.

METHODS

Four hundred seventeen consecutive patients with complex CHD underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac CT angiography. The results were retrospectively analyzed, including the types and incidences of CAAs in various forms of complex CHD. Each patient was analyzed independently by 2 experienced cardiovascular radiologists. Image quality of coronary arteries was assessed on a 5-point scale with 2 or less being nondiagnostic.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 417 studies were nondiagnostic (8.39%). Sixty-three cases of CAA (15.11%) were detected by anomalous ostia and coronary arteries. CAA was involved in 6 of 108 patients with tetralogy of Fallot (5.56%), 18 of 84 patients with double outlet right ventricle (21.43%), 11 of 97 patients with pulmonary artery atresia (11.34%), 7 of 36 patients with transposition of the great arteries (22.22%), 15 of 41 patients with single ventricle (36.59%), 4 of 12 patients with truncus arteriosus/aortopulmonary window (33.33%), and 2 of 39 patients with interruption of the aortic arch/coarctation of the aorta (5.13%). Twenty of these were accompanied with an anomalous coronary course (31.74%).

CONCLUSION

Patients with complex CHD have a higher prevalence of CAAs, which should be considered before surgery. Dual-source CT is an effective technique to visualize and evaluate complex CHD.