Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (known as ALCAPA syndrome) is a rare congenital heart defect in which this artery, which should arise from the aorta, arises from the pulmonary artery. This alters the way the heart muscle receives oxygenated blood.

How it presents: It is usually detected in the first months of life and may be accompanied by irritability during feeding, sweating, paleness, or difficulty breathing; in some people it goes unnoticed until later stages.

Which specialist treats it? Its study corresponds to the cardiologist and, in minors, the pediatric cardiologist, who evaluate each case with imaging studies of the heart. If cardiac signs appear in a baby, the most prudent course is to schedule an evaluation with these professionals to guide the next steps.