Unusual right coronary artery anomaly with major implication during cardiac operations

Abstract

We report a case in which an unrevealed high origin of the right coronary artery (almost 4 cm above the left coronary sinus) led to major complications during a routine atrial septal defect closure. We stress that, in absence of preoperative coronary angiography, coronary artery anomalies should always be considered and minimal ascending aorta manipulation and antegrade/ retrograde myocardial protection should be recommended.