[Congenital abnormalities of origin or distribution of the coronary arteries arising from the aorta].

The authors report 16 cases of this type, without associated cardiac abnormality, seen in the course of 3000 coronary arteriographies in adults. The diagnosis has been made on the findings at selective coronary arteriography, completed eight times by one totalinjection above the sinus. A classification of distribution anomalies and of cases of hypoplasia of one coronary artery is put forward, based on the number of ostia. The role which these anomalies might play in the genesis of myocardial ischaemia is discussed, and was formally considered responsible in two cases. It has not been demonstrated that they play a part in the development of atheromatous stenosis of the coronary arteries. It is vital that these anomalies should be recognized preoperatively.