Coronary MRA: Use in assessing anomalies of coronary artery origin

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to describe the use of coronary MR an giography (MRA) in the clinical evaluation of a series of patients with ano malous origin of the coronary arteries suspected on coronary angiography. Method: Eight patients underwent coronary MRA to further define variant cor onary anatomy that was found on coronary angiography. A 2D segmented k-spac e gradient echo sequence was used with breath-holding. MRA images were asse ssed for traversal of an anomalous artery between the aorta and pulmonary a rtery trunks, which carries the greatest clinical significance. Results: Of six patients with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery on angiography, two were shown by MRA to have an interarterial course of t he anomalous vessel. Neither of two left coronary arteries with ectopic ori gin coursed between the great arteries, although one passed through the sep tum. Conclusion: Coronary MRA is a useful adjunctive technique to angiography in the evaluation of the relationship of anomalous coronary arteries to the g reat arteries.