TY - JOUR
T1 - Coronary artery anomalies
T2 - Assessment with free-breathing three-dimensional coronary MR angiography
AU - Bunce, Nicholas H.
AU - Lorenz, Christine H.
AU - Keegan, Jennifer
AU - Lesser, John
AU - Reyes, Eliana M.
AU - Firmin, David N.
AU - Pennell, Dudley J.
PY - 2003/4/1
Y1 - 2003/4/1
N2 - PURPOSE: To evaluate a simplified protocol by using free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) coronary magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to determine the anatomy of anomalous coronary arteries, in particular the relationship of the vessels to the aortic root. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients (18 men, eight women; mean age, 50 years; age range, 18-77 years) who had a history of chest pain, palpitations, or syncope and who were suspected of having coronary artery anomalies were examined with free-breathing MR angiography. Multiple 3D volume slabs were acquired at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva by using diaphragmatic navigators for respiratory artifact suppression. The proximal anatomy of the coronary arteries was determined. RESULTS: Six anomalous circumflex arteries originated from the right sinus of Valsalva and passed behind the aortic root. Six right coronary arteries arose from the left sinus of Valsalva and coursed between the aortic root and the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Nine left coronary arteries arose from the right sinus of Valsalva; seven of nine coursed between the aortic root and the RVOT. Five patients had minor anomalies. Overall, in eight patients with anomalous arteries that coursed between the aortic root and the RVOT, conventional coronary angiography could not be used confidently to identify the proximal course. CONCLUSION: Free-breathing 3D coronary MR angiography can be used to identify the proximal anatomy of anomalous coronary arteries.
AB - PURPOSE: To evaluate a simplified protocol by using free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) coronary magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to determine the anatomy of anomalous coronary arteries, in particular the relationship of the vessels to the aortic root. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients (18 men, eight women; mean age, 50 years; age range, 18-77 years) who had a history of chest pain, palpitations, or syncope and who were suspected of having coronary artery anomalies were examined with free-breathing MR angiography. Multiple 3D volume slabs were acquired at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva by using diaphragmatic navigators for respiratory artifact suppression. The proximal anatomy of the coronary arteries was determined. RESULTS: Six anomalous circumflex arteries originated from the right sinus of Valsalva and passed behind the aortic root. Six right coronary arteries arose from the left sinus of Valsalva and coursed between the aortic root and the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Nine left coronary arteries arose from the right sinus of Valsalva; seven of nine coursed between the aortic root and the RVOT. Five patients had minor anomalies. Overall, in eight patients with anomalous arteries that coursed between the aortic root and the RVOT, conventional coronary angiography could not be used confidently to identify the proximal course. CONCLUSION: Free-breathing 3D coronary MR angiography can be used to identify the proximal anatomy of anomalous coronary arteries.
KW - Coronary angiography, comparative studies
KW - Coronary vessels, abnormalities
KW - Magnetic resonance (MR), vascular studies
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U2 - 10.1148/radiol.2271020316
DO - 10.1148/radiol.2271020316
M3 - Article
C2 - 12601193
AN - SCOPUS:0345726361
SN - 0033-8419
VL - 227
SP - 201
EP - 208
JO - Radiology
JF - Radiology
IS - 1
ER -