title: Anomalous Aortic Origin of a Coronary Artery Is Not Always a Surgical Disease.
abstract: Anomalous aortic origin of the coronary artery (AAOCA) from the opposite sinus of Valsalva with an interarterial course has become a high-profile lesion as a result of its association with sudden cardiac death in otherwise young and healthy individuals. Despite our incomplete knowledge of its pathophysiology and natural history, surgical intervention is often recommended. Evidence now shows AAOCA to be relatively common, with lower than previously suspected rates of sudden cardiac death. Analysis of this information reveals that AAOCA is not always a surgical disease. Future multi-institutional studies will continue to define those subgroups best served by observation or surgery.
authors.affiliation: George E. Reed Professor of Cardiac Surgery Vice Chairman, Clinical Affairs, Chief, Division of Congenital Cardiac Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Ralph S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY. Electronic address: Ralph.mosca@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Colin K L
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Phoon
mesh_terms: D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva / Q000002:abnormalities*; D015607:Stents