Three cases of congenital coronary artery diseases who presented with cardiac arrest

Abstract

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is a well-known cause of cardiac arrest in adults; however, this condition can also cause cardiac arrest in children. In this study, we report cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by congenital coronary artery disease. Data were retrospectively obtained from the medical records of patients treated at our hospital for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest （April 2007-March 2017）. Cases: Among the 74 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest that occurred during the 10-year study period, 3 were caused by congenital coronary artery disease. Cases of coronary artery disease included 1 patient each with an anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, an anomalous aortic origin of right coronary artery, and an anomalous aortic origin of left coronary artery. Cardiac arrest was triggered in all 3 patients by exercise or crying. One patient with cardiac arrest who was rapidly resuscitated at school survived without sequelae; however, one infant died and the other suffered severe hypoxic encephalopathy. All 3 patients were diagnosed with transthoracic echocardiography. Conclusions: When investigating causes of pediatric cardiogenic cardiac arrest, congenital coronary artery diseases need to be considered.