Anomalous origin and course of the circumflex artery diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography in an adult patient, usefulness of the retro aortic coronary sign. Case report

Authors

  • Adrian Bolívar-Mejía Somer Incare Centro Cardiovascular. Rionegro. Colombia.
  • Pina Isabel Munera Muñoz Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Medellín. Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3437-8098
  • Luisa Maria Cardona Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. Medellín. Colombia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5090-0097

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37615/retic.v9n2a7

Keywords:

coronary vessel anomalies, echocardiography, coronary circulation, case reports

Abstract

A 23-year-old female patient presented with recurrent syncope, with normal initial studies and a positive tilt table test. Transthoracic echocardiography identified the RAC (retroaortic coronary artery) sign, which prompted a coronary CT angiography that confirmed an anomalous origin of the circumflex artery arising from the right coronary artery with a retroaortic course, without high-risk features. Given its benign course and the lack of causal relation to the symptoms, conservative management was indicated, with a favorable outcome. This case highlights the importance of recognizing indirect echocardiographic signs of coronary anomalies and the need for anatomical stratification to guide appropriate therapeutic decision-making.

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Published

2026-08-24

How to Cite

1.
Bolívar-Mejía A, Munera Muñoz PI, Cardona LM. Anomalous origin and course of the circumflex artery diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography in an adult patient, usefulness of the retro aortic coronary sign. Case report. Rev Ecocardiogr Pract Otras Tec Imag Card (RETIC) [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 24 [cited 2026 Aug. 31];9(2):34-8. Available from: https://www.imagenretic.org/RevEcocarPract/article/view/767