An Unusual Case of Dual Left Anterior Descending Artery with Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiographic Correlation

Dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) is a rare coronary anomaly that is important to recognize at coronary imaging as it may influence reperfusion strategies. Four types of dual LAD are described by the traditional literature. We present a novel case of dual LAD with coronary computed tomographic angiographic correlation that does not fit into this classification system. Rather, our case supports the recently proposed notion of adding a fifth variant to the traditional dual LAD classification system. 1. Introduction Dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) is an extremely rare coronary anomaly traditionally classified into one of four types. Recognition at coronary imaging is critical as both surgical and percutaneous reperfusion strategies may be altered by its presence [1]. 2. Case Presentation A 37-year-old Caucasian male presented with a 1-year history of atypical left-sided chest discomfort. Past medical history was negative for major cardiac risk factors but positive for borderline diabetes, increased body mass index, and gastroesophageal reflux. Physical exam was unremarkable. EKG demonstrated a left anterior fascicular block. Biochemical markers of cardiac ischemia were negative. Single photon emission computed tomography stress myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) revealed a heterogeneous inferolateral and apical myocardial perfusion defect with partial reversibility. Conventional coronary angiography identified an aberrant left anterior descending artery (LAD) originating from the right coronary cusp without evidence of atherosclerosis. To further characterize the anatomy of this aberrant artery, coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed. CTA revealed a novel case of dual LAD. The long LAD segment arises from a common coronary ostium on the right coronary cusp. It takes an aberrant course posterior to the right ventricular outflow tract. The long LAD has a hammock-like downward slope that closely resembles, on coronal imaging, the hammock sign described on conventional angiography [2]. The long LAD descends inferiorly from its origin and enters the superior aspect of the interventricular (IV) septum where it provides a small septal perforator. It reemerges in the epicardium of the IV groove distal to the pulmonary trunk to give off a diagonal branch. The septal course of the aberrant long LAD presumably mitigates against the risk of sudden cardiac death associated with a malignant interarterial LAD [3]. The short LAD segment originates at the left coronary cusp, gives off a diagonal branch, and terminates high in