Taner Kösetürk, Ece Zengin, Koray Bingöl
Advanced Radiology and Imaging - 2025;2(3):52-58
Objectives: Coronary artery origin variations are uncommon congenital anomalies, but their recognition is critical due to potential clinical consequences such as myocardial ischemia or sudden cardiac death. An original 2019 Turkish multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) study reported a 2.5% prevalence of coronary origin variations among 1,238 patients. We aim to update these findings with recent large-cohort data from the past decade, comparing prevalence rates and patterns of coronary origin anomalies across populations. Methods: Large cohort studies and systematic reviews reporting the prevalence of anomalies of coronary artery origin in adult populations evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography, between 2015 and 2023, were reviewed. The types and frequencies of variations in the selected studies were comparatively analyzed according to the classification used in the original Turkish study. Results: In recent MDCT-based studies, the prevalence of anomalous coronary origin in adults has generally been reported as 1-3%. The most common variants are a separate left anterior descending artery - left circumflex artery ostia and right coronary artery arising from the contralateral sinus. Conclusion: As demonstrated by the conducted studies, the prevalence of coronary artery origin anomalies is low but not negligible. Clinicians and radiologists should remain aware of these variations and utilize advanced imaging modalities to guide appropriate management or intervention when necessary.
