Value of multislice spiral CT in the diagnosis of anomalous origin of the coronary arteries

Objective: To investigate the value of multislice spiral CT (MSCT) coronary angiography in the diagnosis of anomalous origin of coronary arteries.

Methods: 5000 patients diagnosed or suspected as with diseases of coronary artery underwent MSCT coronary angiography (retrospectively ECG-gating; 0.5 s rotation; one-sector or two-sector reconstruction algorithm; intravenous contrast agent) 2001-2005.

Results: Anomalous origin of coronary artery was incidentally found with multislice spiral CT in 39 patients (0.78%), including anomalously high origin of the right coronary artery (n = 20), anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from left coronary sinus (n = 11), aberrant circumflex artery arises from the right coronary sinus or right coronary (n = 3), anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the posterior coronary sinus (n = 1), anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the posterior coronary sinus (n = 1), single coronary artery (n = 2), separate origin of circumflex and left anterior descending arteries from left coronary sinus (n = 1). These signs were better shown by MSCT coronary angiography.

Conclusions: MSCT coronary angiography is a useful adjunctive technique to invasive coronary angiography in the diagnosis of anomalous origin of coronary arteries.