Bland-White-Garland syndrome in an asymptomatic adult individual: the role of imaging diagnostics in establishing a definitive diagnosis and preventing severe cardiac complications
Abstract
Bland-White-Garland syndrome otherwise known as anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary
artery is classified as a rare congenital heart defect which can be fatal, if unrecognized and untreated. In most
cases, the disease occurs in the neonatal age, while a small percentage of patients remain asymptomatic
or sparsely symptomatic for many years, making early diagnosis and treatment difficult and delayed. In
the following paper, we present a case of a 39-year-old Caucasian woman with no past medical history or
systematic cardiac treatment who was admitted to the cardiology clinic with escalating symptoms of heart
failure. Laboratory tests revealed an increase in NT-proBNP without elevation of the myocardial necrosis
markers. Echocardiography showed generalized wall hypokinesis, left ventricular enlargement with features
of hypertrophy, and additional flow in the pulmonary trunk. The patient was referred for further imaging
examination to make a definite diagnosis, with a suspicion of patent ductus arteriosus.
Keywords: ALCAPABland-White-Garland syndromecoronary computed tomography angiographysudden cardiac arrest
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