[Surgical revascularization of the myocardium for atresia of the left main coronary artery and atherosclerotic coronary disease]. / Rivascolarizzazione chirurgica del miocardio per atresia del tronco comune e coronaropatia aterosclerotica.

ABSTRACT

The authors report a rare case of atresia of the left main coronary artery in an adult patient, symptomatic for effort angina. At coronarography, the left main coronary artery was not found; instead, the arteries of the left coronary tree were filled via a single collateral vessel arising from the ostium of the right coronary artery and ending in the trunk of the left anterior descending artery. All left arteries had very narrow calibres, almost hypoplastic, while the right coronary artery had a normal calibre. All the principal arteries had important stenoses. The patient underwent complete cardiac revascularization, and, sixteen months later, is free from angina. Rest and stress myocardial scintigraphy, control coronary angiography and Doppler analysis of internal mammary artery flow demonstrated normal myocardial perfusion, adequate blood flow through the grafts and good runoff in the native vessels. Hence, the authors conclude that such patients should be referred for coronary artery revascularization, since surgical results are good and the small calibre of the left coronary arteries is no contraindication.