Abstract

SALDANA, L. et al. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right aortic sinus and sudden death: two cases report. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2009, n.55, pp.67-75. ISSN 1988-611X.

Anomalies in the coronary arteries may result from rudimentary persistence of an embryologic coronary arterial structure, failure of development or misplacement of the vessel connection. These malformations are very infrequent (0.2-1%) but determine a significant risk for arrhythmias, angina, infarction and sudden death. This risk is even higher during infancy and adolescence. We report two cases of sudden death (8 and 15 year-old children), which occurred following and during strenuous physical exercise. In both cases, autopsy revealed an anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from right aortic sinus, with a retroaortic course of the anomalous artery. Furthermore, a review of the congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries and sudden death is performed.

Keywords : anomalous origin; coronary arteries; sudden death; forensic pathology.

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