Diagnosis of Anomalous Origin of Left Main Coronary Artery from Right Sinus of the Valsalva Based on the “Seagull Sign” in Echocardiography: A Case Study

Abstract

The anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of the Valsalva (ALCA) is rare, and varies significantly in congenital heart disease. Patients are usually asymptomatic, and in most cases, coronary abnormalities are discovered by chance at autopsy after coronary angiography or sudden cardiac death. As a routine physical examination procedure, echocardiography is particularly important for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of ALCA. We report a case of ALCA using echocardiography. “Seagull sign” is a direct ALCA sign manifesting on the short axis section of the artery with two vessels coming from the right coronary sinus. Based on this case, we propose this specific ultrasound sign as a way to improve the diagnostic rate.

Keywords

• |“seagull sign” on transthoracic echocardiograph|anomalous left coronary artery|right coronary sinus