Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, or ALCAPA, is a rare, congenital cardiac anomaly. The condition causes ischemia and, if left untreated, can lead to death. It is important for cardiac sonographers to recognize the signs, symptoms, and sonographic characteristics of ALCAPA. A case of ALCAPA diagnosed by echocardiography is presented.
Emedicine: Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. Accessed February 15, 2004, from http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2484.htm
2.
Anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery in an adolescent: normalization of LV dimension and function following repair. Accessed February 15, 2004, from http://www.kfshrc.edu.sa/annals/213_214/01-015.htm
3.
Allen M: Echocardiography. 2nd ed.Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
4.
Reynolds T: The Echocardiographer’s Pocket Reference. 2nd ed.Phoenix, Arizona Heart Institute, 2000.
5.
Johnsrude CL, Perry JC, Cecchin F, et al: Differentiating anomalous left main coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery in infants from myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy by electrocardiogram. Am J Cardiol1995;75:71-74.
