Cardiac Anatomy and Coronary Artery Anomalies

Abstract

Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can accurately evaluate coronary and cardiac anatomy with high spatial resolution and without acoustic window limitations. Furthermore, these techniques allow the assessment of the relationship of the vessels with the adjacent structures. Isolated coronary artery anomalies are rare, with an incidence of 0.5–1% of the general population. Most of them are asymptomatic and without clinical relevance. Nevertheless, they can have hemodynamic significance according to their origin and proximal course. It is important to discriminate minor from major coronary anomalies (anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus with inter-arterial course), related to a higher risk of sudden cardiac death.