Transposition of the Great Arteries with Intramural Left Main Coronary Artery—Salient Imaging Findings and Choice of Operative Technique

Abstract

D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) is a common cyanotic critical congenital heart disease. An arterial switch operation (ASO) with/without a ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure is the preferred surgical approach, with an added challenge when an intramural coronary artery (IMC) is present (1), with a reported increased incidence of postoperative complications and mortality (2,3). We present our recent D-TGA with intramural coronary artery (TGA-IMC) experience, focusing on the salient features identified on echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) angiography, and invasive angiograms, as well as variations in ASO surgical techniques for repair. Diagnostic imaging evaluation allowed for identification of the lesion, as well as planning for and undertaking of two different surgical approaches. While the two patients had differing immediate postoperative courses, both were asymptomatic at discharge, with normal biventricular systolic function. Our experience demonstrates that the suspicion for a coronary anomaly in TGA can be raised prenatally and confirmed postnatally with focused trans-thoracic echocardiography and ECG-gated CT angiogram evaluation while also aiding in operative planning. Moreover, suggesting further exploration of the optimal surgical technique for the repair of TGA-IMC.

Keywords

• transposition of the great arteries
• intramural coronary arteries
• arterial switch operation
• echocardiography
• computed tomography angiography