What is AAOCA?
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AAOCA occurs when a coronary artery arises from the “wrong” side of the aorta. AAOCA is uncommon. It occurs in about 1 out of every 200 to 500 people. The most frequent form is when the right coronary artery starts from the left side of the aorta. A much rarer form is when the left coronary artery starts from the right side.
Some variants are benign, while others may include anatomic components that are thought to put patients at higher risk for sudden cardiac death events, such as an interarterial course or compression between the great arteries, a slit-like ostium, an intramural segment, or an acute angle of takeoff.
Because these features can affect blood flow, careful evaluation is essential—especially for children involved in vigorous physical activity.
