Introduction

Coronary artery anomalies are seen in approximately 6% of the population.[1] Coronary artery anomalies which originate from the wrong coronary sinus may cause a risk of sudden death in young populations.[2] The incidences of anomalous circumflex artery (CxA) arising from the wrong coronary sinus occur in 0.67% of the total population.[1] We reported an uncommon anatomical variation of the CxA which emphasized the anatomic variabilities of the vascular structures.

Case Presentation

A 71-year-old male was referred to the Emergency Department with a complaint of angina pectoris. His blood pressure was normal (130/65 mmHg) and his heart rate was slightly increased (119 bpm). Troponin-I levels were 15.7 ng/mL (Normal <0.01 ng/mL) on admission. The electrocardiography revealed an ST elevation in D3 and aVF leads. He was diagnosed with an acute inferior myocardial infarction (AMI) and a coronary angiography was performed to intervene the responsible coronary lesion. A rare anatomic variation was seen on the right coronary vasculature. The CxA was originating from the right coronary sinus with its own separate ostium (Figure 1). The distal course of the CxA was normal following the anatomic grooves (Figure 2). There were some atherosclerotic lesions in the CxA including a 60% segmental lesion in the proximal portion (Figure ) and a diffuse endothelial irregularity in the middle portion (Figure ). He had a separate right coronary artery orifice with a total proximal occlusion that was responsible for the acute myocardial infarction (Figure 3). The left anterior descending artery was emerging from the left coronary ostium in a typical manner, having no prominent atherosclerotic lesion (Figure 4). A written informed consent was obtained from the patient.

Figure 1: Left anterior oblique view showing the separate orifices of the right coronary artery and the circumflex coronary artery.

The arrow showing the right coronary artery stump.

Coronary artery anomalies should be well known regarding the appearance, prevalence and the clinical importance given by the interventionists.[3] The intervention should be adjusted according to the existing coronary artery anomaly.

Declaration of conflicting interests

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.