Unusual cause of persistent impairment of ventricular function after repair of coarctation of the aorta

Abstract

In neonates with coarctation of the aorta, left ventricular function may be impaired due to an increased afterload and an associated endocardial fibroelastosis. Repair of the coarctation usually results in improvement in left ventricular function over the postoperative weeks. We report a patient in whom, despite successful repair of coarctation, left ventricular performance continued to deteriorate. Investigation revealed the unusual coincidental finding of anomalous left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery.