SINGLE CORONARY ARTERY

Abstract

Abstract. Three cases of single coronary artery are reported. All had bicuspid aortic valves and one case also a ventricular septal defect. A 24‐year‐old woman had suffered from angina pectoris from the age of 16. Over the last years electrocardiographic signs of progressive myocardial ischemia and an additional right bundle branch block have developed. Angiography has shown the presence of a single left coronary artery and bicuspid aortic valves. A 65‐year‐old woman with aortic stenosis and insufficiency has a single right coronary artery and bicuspid aortic valves. The ECG reveals the presence of a left bundle branch block. A man aged 34 years with a single left coronary artery, bicuspid aortic valves and a ventricular septal defect had a subacute bacterial endocarditis with rapid development of aortic insufficiency. He died from intractable heart failure. Emphasis is laid upon the recognition of single coronary artery as the potential cause of severe heart disease such as subacute bacterial endocarditis, aortic valvular disease and premature myocardial ischemia.