[Coronary artery anomalies as a cause of sudden death in young people].
BACKGROUND
Sudden cardiac death in a young person is rare. In contrast to older persons, where atherosclerotic heart disease is the most common cause; cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, commotio cordis and coronary artery anomalies are more common in the young.


METHODS
This report comprises the autopsy findings in two young persons who died suddenly and a short review of relevant literature.


RESULTS
Coronary artery anomalies were demonstrated in both cases. The left coronary artery emerged from the right sinus of Valsalva and passed between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. In one of the cases there was a recent myocardial infarction.


CONCLUSIONS
The most frequent coronary anomalies are of no clinical significance, but some are associated with an increased risk of sudden death. One of the most important anomalies is where the left coronary artery arises from the right sinus of Valsalva and passes between the aorta and the pulmonary artery.
Haugen
Olav A
OA
Institutt for laboratoriemedisin, kvinne- og barnesykdommer Norges teknisk naturvitenskapelige universitet, og Avdeling for patologi og medisinsk genetikk, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006 Trondheim. olav.haugen@ntnu.no
Ellingsen
Christian Lycke
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors