Methods: Between March 1992 and August 2022, a total of 21 patients (10 males, 11 females; mean age: 16.3±15.9 years; range, 1 to 64 years) diagnosed with anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery who underwent successful surgical repair were retrospectively analyzed. An initial diagnosis was made with two-dimensional echocardiography. Cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed in all our patients.
Results: The median follow-up was five (range, 1 to 14) years. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 43.47±14.30% with associated moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation in seven (33.33%) patients. Coronary button transfer was performed in 15 (71.42%) patients, Takeuchi repair in four (19.04%) patients, and ligation of anomalous left main coronary artery and ligation with great saphenous venous graft in one (4.76%) patient. There was no mortality. However, two (9.52%) patients had prolonged intensive care unit stay (>7 days). At the final follow-up, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction improved to 57.47±4.97%. Regression of moderate mitral regurgitation was observed in four (66.6%) patients.
Conclusion: Preoperative left ventricular function is a major risk factor of perioperative mortality and morbidity. Mitral valve intervention is not warranted concomitantly in patients with moderate mitral regurgitation, if there are no structural lesions. Early diagnosis and meticulous surgical technique can yield excellent results and good long-term outcomes.
In the present study, we aimed to evaluate our 30 years of surgical experience and outcomes in managing ALCAPA in patients with various age groups.
An initial diagnosis was made predominantly with two-dimensional echocardiography (2D-ECHO) using M mode and Doppler flow imaging (n=19, 90.47%). Diagnosis was doubtful in two (9.52%) patients and these patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 43.47±14.30% (range, 20 to 62%) and out of these eight (38.09%) patients had severe LVEF ( ≤35%). In our study, moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) was detected in six (28.57%) patients and severe MR associated with anterior mitral leaflet prolapse with elongated chordae in one (4.76%) patient. The mean left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic internal dimensions were 2.88±0.64 cm and 4.31±0.64 cm, respectively (Figure 1a, b, and c).
The CECT was performed in two (9.52%) patients to identify exact coronary ostial origin and course. Due to motion artefacts (tachycardia) at the time of study, exact origin of anomalous left main coronary artery (LMCA) and left circumflex artery were poorly visualized. Therefore, we preferred cardiac catheterization and angiography for diagnostic evaluation. It was performed in all our patients to confirm the diagnosis of ALCAPA (Figure 1d). It was helpful to detect origin and course of coronary arteries, inter-coronary collaterals, and direction of blood flow in coronaries.
Surgical technique
All patients underwent surgical repair through
midline sternotomy. Amongst them, cardiopulmonary
bypass (CPB) with moderate hypothermia was used
in 19 (90.47%) patients. During opening pericardium,
the heart surface was covered with dilated and
tortuous coronary arteries were noted in all cases. The
anomalous LMCA originated from the left posterior
aspect of the main pulmonary artery (MPA) in all our
cases. For better myocardial protection, the cannulation
and cardioplegia technique was as follows: (i) aortic
cannulation; (ii) superior v ena cava cannulation;
(iii) going on pump with single venous cannula;
(iv) inferior vena cava cannulation; (v) CPB with t wo
venous cannulas; (vi) c ardioplegia c annulation o ver
aorta proximal to aortic cannula; (vii) LV vent over left
upper superior pulmonary vein; (viii) cross-clamping
aorta; (ix) delivering cold blood Del Nido cardioplegia
solution (20 mL/kg) at 4°C after clamping MPA/right
pulmonary artery (RPA) and left pulmonary artery
(LPA) based on the type of repair; and (x) topical ice
slush was put to cool the heart further.
Coronary button transfer (n=15, 71.42%)
After establishing CPB, aorta and MPA were
clamped separately. Aortic root antegrade cold
blood cardioplegia was given. The LV was vented
through right superior pulmonary vein. The LMCA
was mobilized and dissected from MPA along with
collar of native MPA tissue. A hole was made on
left lateral aspect of aorta with a 4-mm punch. The
LMCA button was anastomosed to lateral aspect of
aorta with 7-0 polypropylene suture in a continuous
fashion. The defect in MPA was augmented with
autologous pericardial patch using 5-0 polypropylene
suture (Figure 2).
Takeuchi repair (n=4, 19.04%)
After establishing CPB, LPAs and RPAs
were clamped and snared separately. Aorta was
cross-clamped and root antegrade cold blood
cardioplegia was given. After satisfactory arrest,
aorta and MPA were opened for assessment of
anatomy. A hole was punched on left lateral wall of
aorta corresponding to another made on right lateral
wall of MPA. They were anastomosed to form an
aortopulmonary (AP) window. The MPA was cut
transversely above and below the level of AP window creating a MPA flap. This flap was sutured all along
posterior wall of MPA creating a MPA flap tunnel.
It covers the opening of ALCAPA and AP window,
thereby diverting aortic blood into ALCAPA. Aorta
was closed and root cardioplegia was given to see
satisfactory bulge of MPA tunnel and to confirm
suture-line hemostasis. Residual defect in MPA was
repaired with supra-annular autologous pericardial
patch (Figure 3).
Ligation of ALCAPA followed by aorta-LMCA
great saphenous venous graft (n=1, 4.76%)
In one (4.76%) patient, direct ligation of ALCAPA
was done. After that, we performed anastomosis of
reverse great saphenous venous graft between aorta
(end to side) and anomalous LMCA end to end.
Ligation of ALCAPA (n=1, 4.76%)
Along with ALCAPA correction, mitral valve
(MV) repair (chordal shortening with bilateral commissural plication) was done for severe MR in
one (4.76%) patient. However, MV was not addressed
in cases with moderate MR in our study. Along
with ALCAPA correction, patent ductus arteriosus
(PDA) was ligated in one (4.76%) patient. The mean
CPB time was 139.05±24.79 (range, 82 to 191) min
and the mean aortic cross-clamp time was 92±18.92
(range, 56 to 129) min. Perioperative and follow-up
data of our patients are illustrated in Table 1.
Table 1. Perioperative and follow-up data of patients
Data collection
Medical records of the patients were reviewed
to evaluate clinical presentation, pathophysiological
findings, imaging and surgical treatment with
postoperative outcomes and follow-up data.
Follow-up
The median follow-up was five (range, 1 to 14) years.
The patients were followed at our outpatient clinic and telephonic calls were made for data collection, if
necessary. All patients underwent electrocardiogram
(ECG) and 2D-ECHO at every follow-up visit.
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM
SPSS version 22.0 software (IBM Corp., Armonk,
NY, USA). Descriptive data were expressed in mean
± standard deviation (SD), median (min-max) or
number and frequency, where applicable. The Fisher
exact test and two-sample t-test were used to calculate
p value between two groups (Group 1: LVEF ≤35%,
n=8 vs. Group 2: LVEF >35%, n=13). A p value of
<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Table 2. Demographic and preoperative characteristics of patients
Early results (<30 days)
There was no early mortality in our study. In
the majority of the patients (90.47%), postoperative period was uneventful. However, two (9.52%) patients
had prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay (>7 days).
The first case was a four-year and one-month female
with query dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy admitted
in cardiac care unit. On further evaluation, she was
diagnosed with ALCAPA with moderate MR. Based
on a low LVEF (20%), the patient was stabilized with
dobutamine (5 µg/kg/min) injection for six days and
underwent corrective surgery (direct re-implantation).
Postoperatively, the patient was electively ventilated
for five days due to poor cardiopulmonary reserve
(LVEF: 15%, low partial pressure of oxygen [PO2]
and high partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PCO2]).
Trial of extubation was given on postoperative
Day 5 (POD) and the patient was re-intubated due
to tachypnea with high PCO2 on the same day. Then,
she was gradually weaned and extubated on POD 10.
Non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure
mode of ventilation was continued for two more days.
On POD 12, the patient was re-intubated again due
to further worsening with thick airway secretions
and high PCO2. She was gradually improved and extubated on POD 16. The Patient was clinically
asymptomatic and, thus, discharged on POD 28 with
moderate MR and LVEF of 15%. At three months of
follow-up, LVEF improved to 35% and at one-year
follow-up, it significantly improved to 55%. Based on
the improvement in LVEF, moderate MR regressed to
mild MR at three months of follow-up and to trivial
MR at one year of follow-up.
The second case was a one-year male diagnosed with ALCAPA with moderate MR and low LVEF (35%). He underwent direct re-implantation. Postoperatively, he required prolonged ventilator and inotropic support due to low LVEF (30%) and low PO2. He was weaned off ventilator and inotropic support gradually and extubated on POD 8. During follow-up, LVEF improved to 45% at three months and 55% at five years. Unlike the first case, moderate MR persisted even at five years of follow-up, but he was clinically asymptomatic with preserved LV dimensions.
The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 19.42±30.56 (range, 4 to 120) h. The mean length of ICU stay was 5.28±4.7 (range, 2 to 24) days. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.52±5.28 (range, 4 to 28) days. All patients were clinically asymptomatic at the time of discharge.
Late results (>30 days)
No late mortality was detected in our study
during follow-up. There was an improvement of
LVEF during follow-up in all patients. At the last
follow-up, the mean LVEF improved to 57.47±4.97%
(range, 45 to 62%) compared to the mean preoperative
LVEF of 43.47±14.30% (range, 20 to 62%). Regression
of moderate MR to mild MR was observed in four
patients (66.6%). However, moderate MR persisted in
one (16.6%) patient and it progressed to severe MR
in another patient, but both patients were clinically
asymptomatic at their last follow-up with preserved LV
dimensions.
Perioperative clinical variables and outcomes were compared between the two groups (Group 1: LVEF ≤35%, n=8 vs. Group 2: LVEF >35%, n=13) (Table 3).
Based on collateral circulation, ALCAPA is classified into two main groups as the infantile group with little or no collateral circulation and the adult group with extensive inter coronary collateral circulation. The manifestations and outcomes of these two groups are completely different.[9] In the infantile group, diagnosis of ALCAPA is possible within the first year of life, when infants present with irritability, fatigue, inability to feed, sweating and tachypnea. Due to extensive inter-coronary collateral circulation, the adult group patients are asymptomatic and, thus, diagnosis is usually delayed. However, these patients may suffer from MR due to anterolateral papillary muscle ischemia/infarction and sudden cardiac death in the future.[10] Bland et al.[11] and Boutsikou et al.[12] reported that survival of adult group mainly depended upon right coronary artery dominance with extensive inter-coronary collaterals and restrictive opening between ALCAPA and PA. In our study, most of the patients had late presentation.
Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is often an isolated anomaly, but rarely associated with anomalies such as PDA, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, hemi-truncus and coarctation of aorta.[7] In our study, only one (4.96%) patient had PDA associated with ALCAPA.
The vast majority of patients have cardiomegaly on chest X ray. Electrocardiography may yield normal results or show features suggestive of anterolateral myocardial ischemia/infarction (ALWMI) (i.e., inverted T wave in leads V4 to V6 and pathological Q waves in lead I and aVL).[13,14] In our study, 15 patients (71.42%) had ALWMI, consistent with the literature.[13,15] The 2D ECHO also plays a major role in the diagnosis of ALCAPA.[16] It is useful to detect anomalous origin of coronary arteries, enlargement of left heart chambers, decreased LV systolic function, quantification of MR, aneurysmatic expansion of coronary arteries, and retrograde diastolic blood flow from coronary artery to PA.[16] Consistent with the literature, the majority of our patients (90.47%) were diagnosed with ALCAPA using 2D ECHO in our study. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization with coronary angiography to confirm the diagnosis and to delineate coronary anatomy and inter-coronary collaterals. The CECT and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are also useful tools for diagnostic examinations.[17] However, our experience with CECT, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and thallium perfusion scan in the management of ALCAPA is limited.
Furthermore, it is necessary to rule out dilated cardiomyopathy/endocardial fibroelastosis before diagnosis of ALCAPA.[18] Medical management of ALCAPA is associated with high morbidity and mortality.[19] Therefore, it is recommended to tailor surgery as soon as diagnosis is confirmed to prevent further progression of myocardial ischemia/infarctioh.[20]
Although several surgical methods have been developed to date, establishment of dual-coronary system has become the standard surgical approach for repair. This has a positive survival effect in all age groups. Currently, Takeuchi repair and direct re-implantation of coronary artery to ascending aorta are two commonly used surgical options.[20] In Takeuchi repair, creation of AP window is followed by redirecting blood from ascending aorta to left coronary ostia via an intra-pulmonary tunnel. This surgical technique is associated with intraoperative coronary insufficiency, supravalvular pulmonary stenosis, coronary-PA fistula, and pulmonary regurgitation.[21] However, none of these complications were encountered and four (19.04%) patients underwent Takeuchi repair in our study. Consistent with the recent literature, Takeuchi repair is preferred over coronary re-implantation in cases where coronaries are difficult to mobilize. In 1974, Neches et al.[22] described re-implantation of LMCA to ascending aorta. This technique can increase survival and decrease coronary stenosis and re-operation rate.[23,24] In our study, 15 (71.42%) patients underwent direct re-implantation of LMCA to ascending aorta, as the anatomy was conducive and associated with fewer complications. The mean age of the patients who underwent Takeuchi repair and direct re-implantation of LMCA to ascending aorta was 19.5±12.4 years and 11.6±11.7 years, respectively in our study. We preferred Takeuchi repair/ligation/ligation with reverse great saphenous vein graft in patients where anomalous LMCA was unable to mobilize and direct re-implantation of LMCA was preferred in patients where anomalous LMCA was able to mobilize.
Coronary ischemia can cause subendocardial infarcts and ischemia of anterolateral papillary muscle. This, in turn, causes MR. The need for MV intervention in cases with moderate MR during initial ALCAPA repair is still controversial. However, consistent with the literature,[13,14,24] there was an improvement of MR and LV function after establishment of physiological dual coronary circulation without MV repair, regardless of age in our study. However, in some patients, MR can persist postoperatively due to irrepressible ischemic damage to papillary muscle and may require additional intervention. In our study, moderate-to-severe MR was observed in seven (33.33%) patients preoperatively, out of which only one patient with severe MR underwent MV repair (anterior mitral leaflet chordal shortening with commissural plication). No additional intervention was done to the remaining six patients with moderate MR without any structural abnormality. During follow-up, MR improved in four (66.66%) patients over a short period of time (range, 6 months to 2 years) after the establishment of dual physiological coronary circulation. In the remaining two (33.33%) patients, moderate MR persisted in one and progressed to severe MR in the other. Surgical intervention was not warranted, as they were clinically asymptomatic with preserved LV dimensions.
In general, operative mortality of ALCAPA with dual coronary repair ranged from 0 to 16%.[25] Left ventricular dysfunction is a major risk factor for perioperative mortality and morbidity.[4] However, in our study, no mortality was observed, although 38.09% of the patients presented with LVEF ≤35%. The LV function recovery may vary according to the efficiency of surgical repair and medical treatment. It may take several months, even up to one year after repair.[25] Our patients (n=8) with a preoperative LVEF of ?35% reached normal range over a span ranging from 0.5 to 15 months postoperatively.
The role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after ALCAPA repair is still under debate. Proponents of ECMO advocate its advantage in cases where there is unstable hemodynamics while weaning from the CPB machine. However, some authors are against ECMO use due to the fact that it worsens cardiac ischemia by decompressing the PA and increasing steal from right coronary system, thereby compromising the chances of recovery. Also, pediatric cardiac assist devices still carry a high risk for mortality and morbidity. Our knowledge with cardiac assist devices is still limited, as all our cases were weaned from CPB smoothly. As a result, the need for cardiac assistance can be case-dependent and it can be avoided in most cases with successful perioperative myocardial support strategies.
The single-center, retrospective design of the study with a relatively small sample size is the main limitation.
In conclusion, anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery should be suspected in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and/or with unexplained mitral regurgitation and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of anterolateral myocardial ischemia/infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiography with color flow Doppler is helpful to establish the early diagnosis. However, cardiac catheterization with angiography is the gold-standard diagnostic modality. An aggressive surgical approach is warranted, irrespective of age to halt the progress of myocardial ischemia, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. Among several surgical techniques for anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery repair, re-implantation of anomalous coronary artery to establish dual coronary circulation is the most preferred technique. We suggest that mitral valve intervention is not warranted concomitantly in patients with moderate mitral regurgitation, if there are no structural lesions. Preoperative left ventricular dysfunction is a major risk factor of perioperative mortality and morbidity.
Ethics Committee Approval: Ethical approval was waived off being a retrospective study of a standard surgery. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Patient Consent for Publication: A written informed consent was obtained from each patient and/or their legal parents and guardians.
Data Sharing Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Author Contributions: All authors contributed equally in the study as follows: Concept/design, data collection and analysis/interpretation: Y.S.C., Aravind., N.D.; Critical revision and approval of article: N.D.
Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
Funding: The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.
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