Abstract
BackgroundCurrent guidelines on coronary anomalies are primarily based on expert consensus and a limited number of trials. A gold standard for diagnosis and a consensus on the treatment strategy in this patient group are lacking, especially for patients with an anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course.AimTo provide evidence-substantiated recommendations for diagnostic work-up, treatment and follow-up of patients with anomalous coronary arteries.MethodsA clinical care pathway for patients with ACAOS was established by six Dutch centres. Prospectively included patients undergo work-up according to protocol using computed tomography (CT) angiography, ischaemia detection, echocardiography and coronary angiography with intracoronary measurements to assess anatomical and physiological characteristics of the ACAOS. Surgical and functional follow-up results are evaluated by CT angiography, ischaemia detection and a quality-of-life questionnaire. Patient inclusion for the first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands started in 2020 and will continue for at least 3 years with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. For patients with a right or left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery and coronary arteriovenous fistulas a registry is maintained.ResultsPrimary outcomes are: (cardiac) death, myocardial ischaemia attributable to the ACAOS, re-intervention after surgery and intervention after initially conservative treatment. The influence of work-up examinations on treatment choice is also evaluated.ConclusionsStructural evidence for the appropriate management of patients with coronary anomalies, especially (interarterial) ACAOS, is lacking. By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12471-021-01556-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Coronary anomalies are rare and often an incidental finding in patients without concomitant congenital heart defects
By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group
Conflicting reports and lack of evidence-substantiated guidelines lead to challenging treatment decisions, especially for anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva or from the opposite coronary artery (ACAOS)
Summary
Structural evidence for the appropriate management of patients with coronary anomalies, especially (interarterial) ACAOS, is lacking. By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group. Keywords Coronary anomalies · Anomalous coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva · Coronary arteriovenous fistula · Anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery · Multicentre study circumflex artery, R right, L left, A anterior, P posterior, CT computed tomography
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