Conditions We Treat

The majority of the children we see at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health have one of two conditions: anomalous aortic origins of coronary artery (AAOCA) or myocardial bridges. We also treat other less common conditions, including coronary artery fistulas.

Types of congenital coronary conditions

These congenital conditions include:

• AAORCA (anomalous aortic origin of right coronary artery): This is a type of AAOCA where the right coronary artery originates from the left side of the aorta rather than the right.
• AAOLCA (anomalous aortic origin of left coronary artery): With this type of AAOCA, the left coronary artery originates from the right side of the aorta rather than the left. These anomalies are more likely to be high-risk than anomalous origins of the right coronary artery, or AAORCA.
• Myocardial bridge (a band of tissue that overlays the coronary artery): These are common, and the vast majority do not cause problems.

Understanding the risks

When serious, these conditions can restrict blood flow to the heart. This restriction can sometimes result in:

• Chest pain with exercise
• Episodes of passing out
• Rarely, sudden cardiac death