Multi-imaging evaluation and long-term outcome of a patient with chest pain and an anomalous right coronary artery arising from pulmonary artery: a case report

BACKGROUND: Anomalous right coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare coronary anomaly. Adult patients usually present with few symptoms due to extensive collateral network from left coronary artery, with little/absent symptoms. Few data exist regarding surgical vs. conservative strategy for paucisymptomatic cases. Moreover, consensus is lacking. CASE SUMMARY: We describe the case of a 52-year-old male patient with undiagnosed ARCAPA, who acceded to our emergency department with suspected acute myocardial infarction and was discharged with medical therapy after demonstration of mild ischaemia at myocardial perfusion imaging with dipyridamole and bicycle exercise test. DISCUSSION: The patient completed 2-year event-free follow up. After complete imaging assessment and thorough clinical evaluation, medical management could be regarded as valid alternative to surgery for paucisymptomatic ARCAPA patients with evidence of limited ischaemia.