Surgery for congenital heart disease
Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery: Right internal thoracic artery to right coronary artery bypass is not the answer

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Objective

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva can be a lethal congenital anomaly. Right internal thoracic artery grafting to the right coronary artery is prone to fail in this circumstance. We sought to describe alternative surgical techniques.

Methods

Retrospective analysis identified 5 adult and pediatric patients in our database. We reviewed the surgical techniques used to repair this anomaly. On the basis of our experience, we describe our management technique.

Results

There were no operative deaths, and postoperative computed tomographic scans demonstrated widely patent repairs in all patients. Two patients with previous right internal thoracic artery to right coronary artery grafts presented with occlusion of the right internal thoracic artery. Short-term follow-up demonstrated continued patency.

Conclusion

Right internal thoracic artery grafting fails in this circumstance, and alternative surgical options provide a good outcome.

CTSNet classification

20

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CABG
coronary artery bypass grafting
CPB
cardiopulmonary bypass
CT
computed tomography
ITA
internal thoracic artery
RCA
right coronary artery
RITA
right internal thoracic artery

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