An anomalous coronary artery (ACA) is a coronary artery that has an
abnormality or malformation. The malformation is congenital (present
at birth) and is most often related to the origin or location of the
coronary artery. However, there may be other defective areas in the
coronary artery. Likewise, it may affect the overall size and shape of
the affected coronary artery or arteries. ACA may also occur along
with other congenital heart defects.
This condition may also be called congenital coronary artery anomaly (CAA).
Although they are present at birth, ACAs are often not diagnosed
until late adolescence or adulthood, because of the lack of symptoms
or because symptoms may not be recognized as being caused by ACA.
Teens or adults with unknown ACA may have an initial episode of chest
pain, heart failure, or even sudden cardiac death before the condition
is recognized.
Anatomy of the coronary arteries
The main function of the coronary arteries is to supply blood to the
heart muscle. Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle
needs oxygen-rich blood to function, and oxygen-depleted blood must be
re-circulated to the lungs. The coronary arteries are made up of two
large branches called the right and left coronary arteries. The left
coronary artery system branches into the circumflex artery and the
left anterior descending artery.
The two main coronary arteries are the left main and right coronary
arteries. The left main coronary artery (LMCA), which divides into the
left anterior descending artery and the circumflex branch, supplies
blood to the left ventricle and left atrium. The right coronary artery
(RCA), which divides into the right posterior descending and acute
marginal arteries, supplies blood to the right ventricle, right
atrium, and sinoatrial node (cluster of cells in the right atrial wall
that regulates the heart's rhythmic rate).
Additional arteries branch off the two main coronary arteries to
supply the heart muscle with blood.
These include the following:
-
Circumflex artery (Cx). The circumflex artery branches off
the left coronary artery and encircles the heart muscle. This artery
supplies blood to the lateral side and back of the heart.
-
Left anterior descending artery (LAD). The left anterior
descending artery branches off the left coronary artery and supplies
blood to the front of the left side of the heart.
Smaller branches of the coronary arteries include: acute marginal,
posterior descending (PDA), obtuse marginal (OM), septal perforator,
and diagonals.
Why are the coronary arteries important?
Since coronary arteries deliver blood to the heart muscle, any
coronary artery disorder or disease can potentially reduce the flow of
oxygen and nutrients to the heart, which may lead to a heart attack or death.