Key result
Transthoracic echocardiography detects anomalous LAD origin in an asymptomatic marathon runner.
Why the study?
Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery may remain undetected during standard pre-participation cardiovascular screening in athletes.
Case Report (n=1)
Transthoracic echocardiography can provide incremental diagnostic value in detecting high-risk anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries during pre-participation screening of athletes.
May support echocardiography in athlete screening; leaves open its outcome impact in prospective cohorts.
Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery may remain undetected during standard pre-participation cardiovascular screening. We report a 45-year-old asymptomatic marathon runner with normal physical examination and electrocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a retroaortic tubular vascular structure with color flow, prompting coronary computed tomography angiography. Imaging demonstrated anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery from the right sinus of Valsalva with an interarterial course and a coexisting retroaortic left circumflex artery. Functional and rhythm testing were reassuring. This case illustrates the potential incremental diagnostic value of echocardiography in selected athlete evaluations.
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Deligiannis et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (n=1). Transthoracic echocardiography was evaluated on Detection of anomalous coronary artery origin. Transthoracic echocardiography successfully identified an anomalous origin of the left anterior descending artery in an asymptomatic 45-year-old marathon runner.
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