Aortic implantation of anomalous left coronary artery arising from pulmonary artery

Abstract

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare and usually fatal congenital malformation. Most surgical attempts to correct this anomaly have been unsuccessful, particularly those in infants. Recently, four patients underwent reimplantation of an anomalous left coronary artery into the aorta; all four survived the operation and are asymptomatic. This technique of reimplantation of the aberrant vessel into the aorta appears to be prefereble to other methods of repair, especially since it can be applied in any patient with the anomaly regardless of age or size. Because of the poor prognosis for patients with anomalous left coronary artery, surgical intervention should be made as soon as the diagnosis is made.