Anomalous origin of a single coronary artery from the innominate artery.

This is the third reported case of the origin of a single coronary artery arising from the innominate artery (brachiocephalic trunk). Associated cardiovascular malformations were truncus arteriosus and a single ventricle. The term infant died 12 hours after birth. Heart failure, evidenced by severe pulmonary and hepatic congestion found at necropsy, was probably the immediate cause of death. The origin of a single coronary artery from sites other than the aortic or pulmonary sinuses is extremely rare and is always associated with other severe cardiac malformations. Truncus arteriosus and cor bioculare or trioculare are the usual associated abnormalities.