Coronary ostial atresia is a developmental abnormality that typically causes asymptomatic anomalies in the coronary blood supply. This case report, which presents 2 symptomatic patients with right coronary artery abnormalities, explores difficulties in diagnosing coronary ostial atresia and distinguishing it from single coronary artery and coronary artery disease–related acquired occlusion. Factors underlying management decisions are also discussed.

  • Coronary ostial atresia is a rare abnormality that operators may encounter during cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography.

  • True coronary ostial atresia may be difficult to distinguish from other anatomical abnormalities, such as single coronary artery, and acquired causes of occlusion, such as CAD-related occlusion.

  • Management of coronary ostial atresia may depend on the burden of any associated acquired CAD and vessel course.

ACS

acute coronary syndrome

CAD

coronary artery disease

CCTA

coronary computed tomography angiography

COSA

coronary ostial stenosis or atresia

ECG

electrocardiogram

FFR

fractional flow reserve

IHD

ischemic heart disease

LAD

left anterior descending artery

LCx

left circumflex artery

LVF

left ventricular function

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

RCA

right coronary artery

SLCA

single left coronary artery

SRCA

single right coronary artery

Coronary ostial stenosis or atresia (COSA) is a collection of developmental abnormalities that involve the coronary ostia and cause coronary blood supply anomalies.13  For COSA to be diagnosed, the defect must be congenital, which may be difficult to ascertain in adult patients. Thus, acquired COSA causes, such as atherosclerotic disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), and syphilitic, Kawasaki, and Takayasu arteritis, must be excluded, although this can be difficult, particularly for atherosclerotic disease and CAD.1,4  Additionally, ostial or proximal coronary stenosis or obstruction must be present, with evidence of a coronary ostial stump or dimple on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in some cases.1,5  In the congenital type (COSA), perfusion is generally achieved through prenatal development of collaterals from contralateral circulation, which is distinguished from the more rich networks that arise with acquired coronary artery occlusions.2,6  Typically, COSA presents without myocardial scarring.4,5  Notably, COSA often remains asymptomatic because of collateral circulation.1,6  Treatment can vary based on vessel course. This case report, which presents 2 patients with right coronary artery (RCA) abnormalities and symptomatic manifestations, discusses the difficulties associated with making a diagnosis of COSA in adult patients and distinguishing it from single coronary artery–related and CAD-related acquired occlusion.3,6  Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Patient 1

Patient 1 was a clinically stable, asymptomatic 67-year-old man who was referred to an institution in Sydney, Australia, for an elective coronary angiogram for the evaluation of stable ischemic heart disease (IHD). This referral was based on a previous stress echocardiogram that revealed inducible ischemia with suboptimal left ventricular relaxation at peak exercise and an outside center CCTA. The exact CCTA diagnosis was not made available upon referral. No anatomic abnormalities and ostial stump or dimple abnormalities were reported at the time. His electrocardiograms (ECGs) did not show any evidence of previous myocardial infarction. Investigations to rule out an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were not carried out because this patient presented for an elective procedure and was clinically stable and asymptomatic at the time of presentation. There was no evidence of causes of arteritis that could present as acquired COSA, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was not deemed to be clinically required because of the institution’s limitations on cardiac MRI.

Access for the coronary angiogram was via the right radial artery. The patient had a right dominant circulation. In the proximal left main coronary artery, there was 30% focal stenosis. There were multiple sites of stenosis in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), with ostial 40% stenosis in the proximal LAD and 50% stenosis in the mid-LAD with a fractional flow reserve (FFR) of 0.82. There was also 20% stenosis in the proximal left circumflex artery (LCx). We observed RCA abnormalities with no aortic origin but rather origin from the LCx retrogradely (Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B). A left ventriculogram was also performed, which was normal, as was left ventricular function (LVF).

Fig. 1

Aortograms and angiograms showing coronary blood supply abnormalities for patient 1. A) Aortogram in the left anterior oblique projection showing no right coronary artery ostia (arrow) and B) angiogram spider (left anterior oblique/caudal) projection showing right coronary artery arising as a continuation of the left circumflex artery (arrow).

Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 1A and Figure 1B

Fig. 1

Aortograms and angiograms showing coronary blood supply abnormalities for patient 1. A) Aortogram in the left anterior oblique projection showing no right coronary artery ostia (arrow) and B) angiogram spider (left anterior oblique/caudal) projection showing right coronary artery arising as a continuation of the left circumflex artery (arrow).

Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 1A and Figure 1B

Close modal

Patient 1 was diagnosed with single left coronary artery (SLCA) of RCA origin from the LCx and nonobstructive CAD; the patient had normal LVF. Medical management and regular follow-up were recommended, with surgery not deemed necessary after discussion in a departmental multidisciplinary team meeting. Outpatient investigations were arranged for chest pain.

Patient 2

Patient 2 was also a 67-year-old man referred to the institution for an elective coronary angiogram for evaluation of stable IHD. He had anteroseptal ST depression on exercise stress testing in the community and a CCTA calcium score exceeding 300. Investigations to rule out ACS were not conducted because this patient presented for an elective procedure and was clinically stable at the time of presentation. There was also a previous history of multi-vessel disease impacting the LAD and LCx and a family history of IHD. However, his ECGs showed no evidence of prior myocardial infarction. There was also a known anomalous RCA with dual origins from the LCx and a course between the aorta and pulmonary artery, as well as one from the LAD, detected during previous CCTA in the community. No ostial stump or dimple abnormalities were recognized. Cardiac MRI was not deemed to be clinically required because of the institution’s limitations on cardiac MRI. There was no evidence of causes of arteritis that could present as acquired COSA.

Access for the coronary angiogram was initially obtained via the left radial artery because of a prior right ulnar artery injury. During the procedure, access was also obtained via the right femoral vein owing to radial artery spasm and inability to get coaxial engagement. The patient had a right dominant circulation. Mild left main coronary artery and ramus irregularities were observed. Considering the LAD, 40% proximal, 60% mid-eccentric, and 50% distal stenosis (with an FFR of 0.75 with adenosine) was observed. Additionally, the second diagonal artery branch had 60% stenosis. Considering LCx, 30% proximal, 90% mid, and 40% distal stenosis was observed. Additionally, the first obtuse marginal artery branch had 50% ostial stenosis. Both the LAD and second obtuse marginal artery were observed to be graftable. Aforementioned RCA anomalies were observed with dual origins from the LCx and a course between the aorta and pulmonary artery, as well as one from the LAD. The RCA origin was supplied by a branch of the proximal LCx, and the right marginal branch was supplied by the LAD septal artery (Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B, Fig. 2C, Fig. 2D). Unfortunately, an aortogram could not be performed at the time. Collaterals to the RCA were diseased despite minor disease in the RCA itself. The LVF was normal.

Fig. 2

Fig. 2 Angiograms showing coronary blood supply abnormalities for patient 2. A) Left anterior oblique/cranial projection shows the RCA arising from both LAD and LCx (arrows) and B) the left main coronary bifurcating into LAD and LCx (arrow). Also seen is RCA arising from the left coronary system. C) Anteroposterior/caudal projection shows left main coronary bifurcating into LAD and LCx (arrow). Also seen is RCA arising from the left coronary system. D) Right anterior oblique projection shows the RCA taking a malignant course between the aorta and pulmonary artery (arrow).

LAD, left anterior descending artery; LCx, left circumflex artery; RCA, right coronary artery.

Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2A and Figure 2B

Fig. 2

Fig. 2 Angiograms showing coronary blood supply abnormalities for patient 2. A) Left anterior oblique/cranial projection shows the RCA arising from both LAD and LCx (arrows) and B) the left main coronary bifurcating into LAD and LCx (arrow). Also seen is RCA arising from the left coronary system. C) Anteroposterior/caudal projection shows left main coronary bifurcating into LAD and LCx (arrow). Also seen is RCA arising from the left coronary system. D) Right anterior oblique projection shows the RCA taking a malignant course between the aorta and pulmonary artery (arrow).

LAD, left anterior descending artery; LCx, left circumflex artery; RCA, right coronary artery.

Supplemental motion image is available for Figure 2A and Figure 2B

Close modal

Patient 2 had multi-vessel disease confirmed, along with an anomalous course. Considering his notable CAD burden and concerns related to the significant stenosis from the RCA course between the aorta and pulmonary artery, he was referred for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Outpatient investigations were arranged for exertional dyspnea.

Distinguishing COSA from SLCA or single right coronary artery (SRCA)–related and CAD-related acquired occlusion is important. Single left coronary artery or SRCA occurs when one of the conducting systems arises directly from the other, meaning there is a single ostium and trunk for the entire arterial blood supply.1,4,5  As such, any stenosis can result in subsequent contralateral ischemic symptomatology.7  Both SLCA and SRCA differ from COSA when the second criterion outlined earlier, proximal stenosis or obstruction, is not fulfilled; however, if there is stenosis, the SLCA or SRCA is also COSA.1,5  Notably, this stenosis or obstruction must be congenital and not the result of acquired causes, which can be difficult to ascertain in the case of atherosclerotic or CAD-related occlusive disease.1,5  This is also related to vessel course; for instance, a malignant course between the aorta and pulmonary artery intramurally causes significant stenosis and is therefore a type of COSA.1,4,8  This malignant course is associated with increased compression risk and, subsequently, increased risk of angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden death syndromes.9  The modified Lipton scale is used for categorizing SLCAs.7,10 

Patient 1, whose primary diagnosis was SLCA with a single left coronary ostium, with the RCA arising from the LCx with a retrocardiac course, was evaluated for COSA because of proximal LCA stenosis. However, it could not be determined whether this was congenital in nature because the presence of CAD confounds the second criterion outlined earlier, namely, the presence of proximal stenosis or obstruction that is not acquired; hence, whether this could also be classified as COSA remains unclear. This situation is indicative of the broader difficulties in diagnosing COSA in adult patients with atherosclerotic disease and distinguishing congenital atresia from CAD-related acquired occlusion.1,4,5 

Patient 2 had 1 branch following a malignant course, which implied a congenital origin to the stenosis, as outlined above, thus fulfilling definitions for both COSA and SLCA.1,4,8  There is also a possibility that the RCA in this patient began from the left sinus of Valsalva and that some abrupt acquired occlusion caused the observed stenosis, which would not be COSA owing to the stenosis being acquired. However, given that the patient was being evaluated for stable IHD with no history of ACS and there were no ECG changes to suggest previous inferior infarction, this would appear to fulfill the definition of COSA. Although it was not possible in this case, performing an aortogram would have been ideal as this hypothesis would have been further proven if there was no anterograde RCA filling. Again, this is indicative of the difficulties in making an absolute diagnosis of COSA in adult patients.1,4,5  Surgical findings such as RCA ostial atresia may assist in addressing the diagnostic uncertainties associated with distinguishing between COSA and CAD-related acquired occlusion.8  The surgical report did not comment on these differences.

Because of the vastly greater incidence of left COSA, treatment strategies and long-term outcomes for right COSA are unclear.6,11  However, surgical bypass is generally not necessary because of collateral circulation development.6  Considering SLCA, a systematic review by Yurtdas et al3  showed that patients with an anomalous RCA arising from the left coronary system were treated both medically and surgically, although patients with a higher CAD burden more commonly received percutaneous coronary intervention or surgical management, and all patients with a malignant course in this review received surgical management.

In the present case series, patient 1 received medical management given the anomalous but nonmalignant course and FFR greater than 0.75, which typically does not require surgical management. In contrast, patient 2 was referred for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, considering the malignant course of the vessel and subsequent associated risk profile along with the high CAD burden.

This case report presents 2 rare cases of RCA abnormalities. These cases highlight difficulties associated with diagnosing COSA in adult patients, particularly in the presence of atherosclerotic disease and potential CAD-related acquired occlusion, and with distinguishing COSA from SLCA. This is a rare abnormality, and operators should be aware of its existence and how vessel course can influence management decisions.

Author Contributions: D.S. was responsible for the first draft of the manuscript and critical revisions. A.P. was responsible for the first draft of the manuscript, critical revisions, and supervision. Both authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest/Disclosures: None.

Funding/Support: None.

1.
Angelini
P
.
Congenital coronary artery ostial disease: a spectrum of anatomic variants with different pathophysiologies and prognoses
.
Tex Heart Inst J
.
2012
;
39
(
1
):
55
59
.
2.
Villa
AD
,
Sammut
E
,
Nair
A
,
Rajani
R
,
Bonamini
R
,
Chiribiri
A
.
Coronary artery anomalies overview: the normal and the abnormal
.
World J Radiol
.
2016
;
8
(
6
):
537
555
.
doi:
10.4329/wjr.v8.i6.537
3.
Yurtdas
M
,
Gülen
O
.
Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left anterior descending artery: review of the literature
.
Cardiol J
.
2012
;
19
(
2
):
122
129
.
4.
Gupta
MD
,
Girish
MP
,
Vignesh
V
,
Narang
P
,
Trehan
V
,
Tyagi
S
.
Absent right coronary artery: a case of single coronary artery or congenital ostial atresia?
Indian Heart J
.
2015
;
67
(
suppl 3
):
S11
S13
.
doi:
10.1016/j.ihj.2015.11.038
5.
Shekar
C
,
Cherukuri
L
,
Dailing
C
,
Budoff
MJ
,
Roy
SK
.
A case of isolated right coronary ostial atresia
.
Coron Artery Dis
.
2019
;
30
(
6
):
471
472
.
doi:
10.1097/MCA.0000000000000714
6.
Pandey
NN
,
Shaw
M
,
Kumar
S
.
Congenital ostial atresia of right coronary artery: an exceedingly rare anomaly diagnosed on CT angiography
.
BMJ Case Rep
.
2019
;
12
(
7
):e230377.
doi:
10.1136/bcr-2019-230377
7.
Gholoobi
A
,
Poorzand
H
.
Single coronary artery anomaly: report of an extremely rare variation
.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann
.
2015
;
25
(
6
):
459
462
.
doi:
10.1177/0218492315622101
8.
Angelini
P
,
Uribe
C
.
Critical update and discussion of the prevalence, nature, mechanisms of action, and treatment options in potentially serious coronary anomalies
.
Trends Cardiovasc Med
.
2022
;
S1050-1738
(
22
):
00074
3
.
doi:
10.1016/j.tcm.2022.05.007
9.
Yildirim
E
,
Yuksel
UC
,
Bugan
B
,
Celik
M
,
Gokoglan
Y
,
Bozlar
U
.
Malignant right coronary artery originating from left coronary sinus
.
Inter J Cardiovasc Acad
.
2016
;
2
(
1
):
49
51
.
doi:
10.1016/j.ijcac.2015.11.004
10.
Yamanaka
O
,
Hobbs
RE
.
Coronary artery anomalies in 126,595 patients undergoing coronary arteriography
.
Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn
.
1990
;
21
(
1
):
28
40
.
doi:
10.1002/ccd.1810210110
11.
Karadag
B
,
Ayan
F
,
Ismailoglu
Z
,
Goksedef
D
,
Ataev
Y
,
Vural
VA
.
An extraordinary cause of ischemic chest pain in a young man: congenital ostial atresia of the right coronary artery
.
J Cardiol
.
2009
;
54
(
2
):
335
338
.
doi:
10.1016/j.jjcc.2009.01.008

Supplementary data