Coronary Artery Anomaly (Heart Artery Malformation)
Description
Malformations of the blood vessels that feed the heart that are present at birth (congenital). They occur in 1% of the population and are often associated with other congenital heart defects. This disorder accounts for 4%-15% of sudden cardiac deaths in young people. Symptoms may not be present until the early teen years depending on the location and severity of the defect. Sometimes the first indication something is wrong is a life threatening event such as a heart attack or abnormal beating of the heart. Some do not cause symptoms and are discovered at autopsy.
Symptoms
Irritability, poor feeding, delayed growth, breathing problems, abnormal sweating, wheezing, bluish skin (cyanosis), fainting, heart failure, sudden death.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be done. Test to evaluate the function and structure of the heart and its blood vessels will be done.
- X-Ray
- Echocardiogram
- EKG
- Cardiac catheterization
- cardiac event monitor
- CT angiogram
- MR angiogram
- MRI
Treatment
Therapy depends on the severity of the abnormality and the age of the child. Treatments include: blood pressure medications, water pills, and oxygen. Surgery may be necessary as well. For more information contact the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Health Information Center at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov or call (301)592-8573. American Heart Association: (800)242-8721
Related Videos
News
If your workplace is always noisy, your odds of suf...
Share Your Experience
Do you have experience with this disease? Do you or someone
you know suffer from Coronary artery anomaly (Heart artery malformation)?
Please share you experience with other members of the iTriage community.