Life 2025, 15(5), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050736 (registering DOI) - 1 May 2025
Abstract
Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly, with an uncertain prevalence and often diagnosed incidentally. This case report presents a 62-year-old male with ARCAPA diagnosed during an evaluation for chest surgery. The
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Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital coronary anomaly, with an uncertain prevalence and often diagnosed incidentally. This case report presents a 62-year-old male with ARCAPA diagnosed during an evaluation for chest surgery. The patient had a history of colon cancer and active tuberculosis, complicating the clinical management. He reported chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations, with atrial fibrillation observed on a 24 h Holter ECG. Coronary angiography revealed robust collateral circulation and a suspected anomalous origin of the right coronary artery, confirmed by CT imaging. The patient’s stress MRI showed mildly reduced left and right ventricular ejection fractions and perfusion deficits in the apical segments (2/17) of the septal and inferior walls. Given the patient’s comorbidities, including active tuberculosis, the Heart team decided on a non-operative management approach, focusing on careful monitoring and pharmacological management rather than immediate surgery. This case emphasizes the complexity of managing ARCAPA in the context of significant comorbidities, highlighting the importance of individualized, multidisciplinary treatment strategies. Early diagnosis using advanced imaging techniques is crucial, and a non-operative approach can be considered in patients with preserved left ventricular function and no significant ischemia, as demonstrated in this case.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology)
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