Percentage of coronary anomalies in a population of patients undergoing coronary angiography: a retrospective study.

Coronary artery anomalies, although less frequent than congenital anomalies of the heart chambers and valve morphology, should be considered in a wide range of ages, in both sexes and as a possible etiology in myocardial ischemia, infarction, and sudden death, as well as in the planning of heart surgery for coronary revascularization, correction of congenital heart malformations or valve replacement. Between January 1996 and June 2002 we reviewed our catheterization database and carried out a retrospective study of the 3660 angiographies performed in our cardiology department. The patients were referred for positive ischemic test, acute coronary syndrome and/or valvular heart disease. From the 3660 angiographies we identified 25 patients (0.68%) with coronary artery anomalies and report the prevalence and types of these anomalies in the population studied. We also assessed the presence of coronary artery disease.