Surgical management of a giant right coronary artery aneurysm.

BackgroundGiant coronary artery aneurysms are rare conditions with potentially devastating consequences. We report a case of the largest documented giant right coronary artery (RCA) aneurysm to date.Case presentationA 57-year-old male patient visited our outpatient clinic for abdominal pain and exertional dyspnea. Computed tomography identified a 10.2 × 9.8 cm RCA aneurysm with RCA pressure waves were similar to aortic pressures. After discussion by the cardiac team, elective resection with ligation of the proximal and distal ends of the RCA was performed due to the presence of adequate collaterals.ConclusionWe highlight the challenges related to the management of patients presenting with giant coronary artery aneurysms. Optimal management strategies and outcomes for such rare cardiovascular conditions implies the need for standardised management guidelines.

Resection of Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysms in a Takayasu's Arteritis Patient

Giant Thrombotic Right Coronary Aneurysm in an Infant with Undiagnosed Incomplete Kawasaki Disease and Rapidly Progressive Cardiovascular Collapse

Giant Aneurysm of the Left Atrial Branch of the Left Circumflex Artery With Fistula

Giant coronary artery aneurysms, defined as diameters larger than 20 mm, are exceedingly rare and constitute a life-threatening occurrence. This case involves a patient with a giant right coronary artery (RCA) aneurysm and multivessel coronary artery disease, successfully managed by surgical intervention through quintuple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension presented with acute-onset chest pain. The initial workup revealed an inferolateral ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The patient underwent emergency coronary angiography revealing a high-grade stenosis in the proximal and mid left anterior descending coronary artery, along with a remarkably tortuous and enlarged mid to distal RCA aneurysm measuring (21mm wide x 20mm long) and featuring significant post aneurysmal stenosis. Attempts at percutaneous angioplasty were unsuccessful due to extensive thrombosis in the RCA. The patient continued to experience active chest pain, necessitating the placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump in the right common femoral artery, the insertion of a temporary pacemaker wire to address bradycardia, and the initiation of pressor support for hypotension. Additionally, intravenous heparin and antiplatelet therapy were administered. Finally, the patient underwent a quintuple CABG to address the multivessel disease. Coronary artery aneurysm is an uncommon yet potentially perilous condition. The selection of appropriate management and intervention is crucial for averting fatal consequences associated with coronary artery aneurysms.

Objective To observe the mid- and long-term changes of giant coronary artery aneurysm(GCAA) caused by Kawasaki disease(KD) and to provide preventive basis for cardiac accidents of KD-affected adolescents. Methods Twelve cases of KD with GCAA [10 boys, 2 girls; 1-10 years old; mean age: (4.05±2.50) years old] were followed up by coronary angiography (CAG), echocardiography and electrocardiogram for 2-10 years to and the changes of the coronary artery lesion were analyzed. Results The findings showed that 2 cases were single coronary artery aneurysm and 10 cases had multiple coronary artery aneurysms on both sides by echocardiography.Among them 8 cases showed segmental stenosis in the right coronary artery with varying degrees by coronary angiography, including 3 cases with coronary recanalization after right coronary artery complete occlusion, 4 cases with segmental local stenosis, and 1 case with thrombotic occlusion and tufted neovascularization.And in 9 cases of coronary artery aneurysms were still present after treatment, and among them the blood flow filling in 4 cases was slowing down in the left anterior descending arteries.Only 1 case with coronary artery aneurysms on both sides became expanded mildly, without stenosis or other lesions.In this observation, all of the cases had no symptoms or any activity limitation.One case was found pathologic Q wave and the other 11 cases left normal by resting electrocardiogram.The results of resting electrocardiogram in 11 cases were normal by pharmacologic stress electrocardiogram except that 1 case showed multi-lead S-T segment depression and T wave flat.Compared with coronary angiography in the same period, 12 cases showed proximal morphological changes in coronary artery and 5 cases with wall motion abnormalities by echocardiography.This study showed that echocardiography was not sensitive enough for mid- and distal-stenosis examination because it failed to provide any useful information for 4 cases affected by segmental stenosis and neovascularization. Conclusions The GCAA caused by KD will be lasting for a long time after acute stage, including persisting GCAA, recovering GCAA, occlusion, stenosis and neovascularization.The sensitivity of echocardiography and electrocardiogram are not enough to find coronary morphology and function of KD sequelae damages.CAG is important for follow-up observations of KD with GCAA. Key words: Kawasaki disease; Giant coronary artery aneurysm; Coronary angiography; Follow-up

The giant coronary artery aneurysm is a very rare finding (0.02% of the general population), in which the right coronary artery is most often affected by aneurysms. Herein, we present a rare case of a giant left coronary artery aneurysm involving multiple major coronary arteries and compressing the cardiac cavity. The giant coronary artery aneurysm was opened and explored under cardiopulmonary bypass, and many mixed thrombi and calcified tissue were exposed. The patient was discharged uneventfully 7 days after surgery. The best management strategy at present is based on case reports, small case series, and personal experience. Treatment must be individualized according to the aetiology, location, symptoms, size, disease progression, the existence of infection, and the degree of any coexisting atherosclerosis. Surgery is a good alternative, particularly if a giant coronary artery aneurysm has a high risk of rupture and compressing the cardiac cavity. Even today, the treatment strategy is still open to debate and a clear evidence-based management strategy has not been established.

Giant left coronary artery aneurysms: Review of the literature and report of a rare case diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography

Patient: Male, 64-year-oldFinal Diagnosis: Huge coronary aneurysmSymptoms: Chest discomfort • dyspneaMedication: Losar 25 mg twice daily • Amlodipine 5 mg twice daily • Aspirin 80 mg daily • Atorovastatin 20 mg daily • Pantaprazole 20 mg dailyClinical Procedure: Coronary artery bypass graft surgerySpecialty: Cardiac Surgery • CardiologyObjective:Rare diseaseBackground:Giant coronary artery aneurysm (GCAA) is a rare disease, with an incidence of 0.02% in the general population. GCAA is defined as when the diameter of the coronary artery is more than 4 times the adjacent part or more than 8 mm. There are several causes of GCAA, with atherosclerosis being the most common. Patients with giant coronary artery aneurysms can be asymptomatic or develop chest pain, dyspnea, and palpitations. Complications of GCCA include myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and sudden death, so early treatment is necessary to prevent mortality. There is no standard surgical approach for a giant coronary artery aneurysm.Case Report:A 64-year-old man with hypertension, opium addiction, morbid obesity (body weight 151 kg and BMI 46), and benign prostate hyperplasia presented with a giant coronary aneurysm in coronary angiography. The patient underwent cardiac surgery, and a 42-mm coronary aneurysm was detected. The aneurysm had many orifices that opened to the left main coronary artery, left circumflex artery, LAD, the diagonal branch of the LAD, and the septal branch of the LAD. Aneurysmectomy and coronary artery bypass graft were successfully performed.Conclusions:Giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare. Patients with giant coronary artery aneurysms may experience sudden death due to myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular complications due to ischemia. Because it is rare, there is no standard surgical approach for a giant coronary artery aneurysm. Further studies need to focus on standardized surgical management of patients with giant coronary artery aneurysms.

Objective: To summarize the clinical features, middle-and long-term prognosis of Kawasaki disease (KD) with giant coronary artery aneurysm (GCAA). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 101 KD children with GCAA in the KD with GCAA database established by Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University in 2004. GCAA was diagnosed as coronary artery absolute lumen diameter ≥8.0 mm. All patients were followed up regularly. The endpoint was the time of last follow-up or the death time. T test or χ2 test was used for comparison between groups. Results: A total of 101 KD children with GCAA were enrolled, including 82 males (81.2%) and 19 females (18.8%). The age of disease onset was 2.5 (1.0, 4.5) years. The follow-up duration was 4.5 (2.7, 7.5) years, with a longest of 19 years. All children received routine treatment with aspirin and warfarin, and clopidogrel was added in severe cases. At the end of follow-up, 13 cases (12.9%) had cardiac enlargement, 11 cases (10.9%) developed heart failure, 13 cases (12.9%) experienced myocardial infarction, 2 cases (2.0%) underwent coronary artery bypass graft and 6 cases (5.9%) died. A total of 170 coronary arteries were involved, including 24 (14.1%) GCAAs on the main trunk of left coronary artery, 10 (5.9%) GCAAs on left circumflex, 57 (33.5%) GCAAs on left anterior descending, 78 (45.9%) GCAAs on the middle segments of right coronary artery, and 1 (0.6%) GCAA in the distal segments of right coronary artery. Eleven cases (10.9%) recovered with the coronary artery absolute lumen diameter of all GCAAs below 4.0 mm. Among 170 branches with GCAAs, 28 (16.5%) regressed below 4.0 mm. No significant difference was found in the regression rates between right and left GCAA (18.7% (17/91) vs. 13.9% (11/79), χ²=2.473, P=0.116). There was no statistically significant difference in retraction between unilateral GCAA and bilateral GCAA (16.1% (9/56) vs. 4.4% (2/45), χ2=2.381, P=0.123). Conclusions: GCAA of KD occurred more common in the middle segments of right and left anterior descending coronary arteries. The incidence of adverse cardiac events and the mortality rate in children with GCAA complicated with KD was high. Their long-term prognosis was poor.

Objective To explore whether the warfarin and aspirin combination therapy can prevent cardiovascular events in patients with giant coronary artery aneurysm (GCAA) caused by Kawasaki disease(KD). Methods Children who had been diagnosed as GCAA secondary to KD in Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between Jan.1998 and Aug.2012 were enrolled in this study.They were divided into the warfarin plus aspirin group (combination group) and aspirin group.The combination group used the therapy of warfarin and small dose aspirin in the long-term anticoagulation treatment, while the aspirin group used small dosage of aspirin without warfarin.Both groups were followed at the time points of 2nd week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, and 1st year after discharge of the acute stage.Then these children were followed every 6 months.Data on each followed-up included clinical manifestations, coronary artery aneurysm recovery situation and complications. Results (1)The onset age of GCAA caused by KD ranged from 3 months to 13 years and 3 months.Infants who were ≤1 year old and children who were ≥5 years old were more susceptible to this disease, their proportion were both 23.1%. (2)The distribution of GCAA in both groups were similar.GCAA most commonly occurred in the right coronary artery, then the left anterior descending coronary artery, and then the main trunk of left coronary artery, the left circumflex artery was rarely affected.(3) Coronary artery aneurysm in 17 cases(53.1%) retracted in the warfarin combined with aspirin group, while 5 cases(41.7%) in the aspirin group.Fifteen cases(46.9%) in the combination group hadn't obvious change, while the aspirin group got 7 cases(58.3%). (4)During the follow-up, 2 children(6.3%)complicated with intracoronary thromboses in the combination group, while 3 cases(25.0%) in the aspirin group.One case(3.1%) in the combination group suffered myocardial infarction, while 3 cases(25.0%)in the asprin group.Two cases (16.7%) in the aspirin group died, while none in the combination group.Coronary artery stenosis occurred in 2 cases (16.7%) in the aspirin group, while 1 case (3.1%) in the combination group.One child had coronary artery occlusion in the aspirin group, while none in the combination group.(5)The combination group had 1 case of serious bleeding event, subarachnoid hemorrhage.In addition, there were 8 cases of nasal bleeding, a total of 19 person-time.There was no serious bleeding event in the aspirin group, only 3 person-time small mount of nasal bleeding. Conclusions Althought warfarin plus aspirin therapy for the long-term anticoagulation treatment in GCAA caused by KD can not affect the retraction of GCAA, it may decrease the incidence of thrombosis, myocardial infarction and mortality.Bleeding complication is more common during the application of wafarin.Therefore the dose of warfarin should be tailored in various children according to the clinical situation, and bleeding complication should be monitored. Key words: Kawasaki disease; Giant coronary artery aneurysm; Warfarin; Anticoagulation therapy; Prognosis

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is focal dilatation of a coronary artery 1.5 times or more its normal size (Res Cardiovasc Med, 2016; 5: e32086). Coronary artery aneurysm is found in 1.2-4.9% of diagnostic coronary angiography and 1.4% at post-mortem (Heart Views, 2014; 15: 13; Clin Cardiol, 2015; 29: 439). The proximal and middle segments of the right coronary artery (RCA) are most commonly involved, followed by the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) and the left circumflex arteries. The left main stem rarely develops aneurysms (Clin Cardiol, 2015; 29: 439). A giant aneurysm is a CAA>2cm. Giant coronary artery aneurysms (GCAA) are rare (incidence 0.02%) although cause serious complications. [4] Given the rarity of this disease, there is limited information in the literature on its presentation and there is no consensus on its optimal management option. We report a case of a GCAA with an atypical presentation and describe its management. This will add to the current small database on CAA to provide clinicians a better insight on the disease.

Bilateral congenital coronary artery fistulae complicated with a giant coronary artery aneurysm is a very rare condition. A coronary artery aneurysm is a coronary artery dilatation that exceeds the diameter of normal adjacent segments or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 times. The complications associated with a coronary artery aneurysm include thrombosis, embolization, rupture, vasospasm, congestive heart failure and infectious endocarditis. We report on a 63-year-old woman presenting with severe heart failure related to bilateral coronary artery fistulae. A giant coronary aneurysm was noted in the right coronary artery, and a tortuous coronary artery fistula was noted in the left coronary artery. Symptoms were relieved after surgical intervention for bilateral coronary artery fistulae.

Background: Long-term outcomes and life expectancy for children with a previous history of Kawasaki disease (KD), particularly those with coronary artery aneurysms (CAA), remain to be determined. Methods: An inception cohort of all patients with KD assessed at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto between 1978 and 2013 was assembled. Patient outcomes were obtained throughout their pediatric and adult clinical follow-up as long as available. Prevalence of outcomes over time was modelled with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Life tables from Statistics Canada were used to obtain age/gender specific cumulative mortality for the general population. Results: The cohort included 2,623 KD patients, of whom 410 (16%) had coronary artery involvement (215 dilatation, 57 non-giant CAA and 138 giant CAA). Average follow-up for patients with coronary artery involvement was 6.7 years (13.3 years for giant CAA); 57 and 34 patients had at least 15 and 25 years of follow-up, respectively. No patients with coronary artery dilatation or non-giant CAA had revascularization or a myocardial infarct. Freedom from revascularization (14 events) for patients with giant CAA was 90±6%, 87±7% and 80±13% at 10, 20 and 40 years of follow-up. Freedom from myocardial infarct (11 events) was 94±4%, 92±5% and 89±7% at 5, 20 and 40 years. For patients without coronary artery involvement, 3 (0.1%) deaths were recorded, one secondary to complications of macrophage activation syndrome during the acute phase of KD and 2 from cancer. No deaths were noted for patients with coronary artery dilatation or non-giant CAA, although clinical follow-up was more limited. For patients with giant CAA, 3 deaths (2.2%) were noted, 2 related to CAA complications and 1 from non-medical cause. Cumulative mortality for patients with giant CAA was 1.5% at 10 years of age (expected mortality 0.7%, HR: 2.2 (0.3-11.5), p=0.08) and 3.1% at 40 years of age (expected 2.3%, HR: 1.3 (0.4-4.0), p=0.37). Conclusions: Despite risks of myocardial infarction and revascularization, patients with giant CAA had life-expectancy similar to that of the general population up to the fourth decade of life. Additional follow-up will be necessary to determine if these trends continue into later decades.

We report a case of sudden death due to rupture of a giant right coronary artery aneurysm, likely a sequela of remote Kawasaki disease, in a young woman with Down syndrome. The decedent was a 28 year old female with trisomy 21 who was found deceased in the backyard pool. An autopsy disclosed an enlarged heart with 400 ml of clotted blood in the pericardial sac and undiagnosed giant coronary artery aneurysms involving the left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary artery, with rupture of the latter artery. The histologic findings were consistent with remote Kawasaki disease. Giant coronary artery aneurysms are a rare complication of Kawasaki disease, infectious vasculitis, and atherosclerosis, among other causes. While Kawasaki disease is typically considered a disease of children, late-onset complications should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young adults with myocardial infarction, coronary aneurysm, or sudden death.