[Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery: cause of sudden death in a 10-year-old girl (author's transl)].

A ten-year-old girl suddenly died on a playground, after repeated syncopal attacks during the preceding two years. Post-mortem examination revealed the left coronary artery to have arisen by a separate ostium from the right sinus of Valsalva, then coursing to the left between the route of the aorta and the pulmonary trunk where it divided as usual. There was no narrowing of the coronary-artery lumen and the wall was normal. The sudden death is explained by a rise in pressure in the root of the aorta with valve-like closure of the coronary artery. This anomaly should be thought of in other wise unexplained syncopal attacks in children or juveniles during physical exertion. The exercise ECG is apparently not helpful diagnostically. Operative treatment is possible.