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Evaluation with 64-slice CT of the prevalence of coronary artery variants and congenital anomalies: a retrospective study of 3,236 patients

Valutazione della prevalenza delle varianti anatomiche e delle anomalie congenite del circolo coronarico mediante TC volumetrica 64-strati: studio retrospettivo su 3236 pazienti

  • Cardiac Radiology / Cardioradiologia
  • Published:
La radiologia medica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of anatomical coronary artery variants and congenital anomalies in 3,236 patients imaged with 64-slice computed tomography (CT).

Materials and methods

Over a period of 4 years, 3,236 patients underwent CT coronary angiography performed with the standard protocol. We assessed coronary artery dominance, presence of the intermediate branch, presence and number of diagonal and marginal branches and coronary anomalies subdivided into anomalies of origin and course, intrinsic anomalies and termination anomalies.

Results

Coronary dominance was right-sided in 88.1% of patients; the intermediate branch was present in 21.3%, the number of diagonal and marginal branches was one to two in >90%, and the number of coronary anomalies was 224 (89 of origin and course, 129 intrinsic anomalies and six termination anomalies).

Conclusions

Sixty-four-slice CT coronary angiography provides accurate three-dimensional evaluation of the coronary artery tree with correct visualisation of any coronary anomalies, a relatively common finding that had a prevalence of 5.7% in our study population.

Riassunto

Obiettivo o]Scopo del nostro lavoro è stato valutare con uno studio retrospettivo la prevalenza di varianti anatomiche ed anomalie coronariche in una popolazione di 3236 pazienti

Materiali e metodi

Un totale di 3236 pazienti è stato sottoposto a tomografia computerizzata (TC)-64 strati delle coronarie in 4 anni, utilizzando il protocollo standard. È stata valutata: la dominanza coronarica, la presenza del ramo intermedio, la presenza e il numero di rami diagonali e marginali, le anomalie coronariche (AC) suddividendole in anomalie di origine e decorso, intrinseche e di terminazione.

Risultati

È stata riscontrata una dominanza destra nel 88,1% dei casi, il ramo intermedio nel 21,3%, la presenza di 1–2 rami diagonali e marginali in più del 90%, 224 AC (89 di origine e decorso, 129 intrinseche e 6 di terminazione).

Conclusioni

La TC volumetrica consente un’accurata valutazione tridimensionale del circolo coronarico con visualizzazione delle anomalie coronariche che rappresentano un reperto relativamente comune nella popolazione con prevalenza del 5,7%.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, Policlinico “Tor Vergata”, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Roma, Italy

    G. Bazzocchi, A. Romagnoli, M. Sperandio & G. Simonetti

Authors
  1. G. Bazzocchi
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  2. A. Romagnoli
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  3. M. Sperandio
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  4. G. Simonetti
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Correspondence to G. Bazzocchi.

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Bazzocchi, G., Romagnoli, A., Sperandio, M. et al. Evaluation with 64-slice CT of the prevalence of coronary artery variants and congenital anomalies: a retrospective study of 3,236 patients. Radiol med 116, 675–689 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-011-0627-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-011-0627-3

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