A rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in the newborn period: ALCAPA syndrome

Abstract

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart defect. ALCAPA is asymptomatic in many cases in newborn periode. It is mostly diagnosed in the first few months. In this case report, we present a newborn with ALCAPA who admitted to our clinic with heart failure occurred at an earlier age than expected. The electrocardiography showed deep wide Q waves in D1 and aVL, ST elevation in leads V1-V6. Echocardiography revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy and left main coronary artery originates from pulmonary artery. Diagnosis was confirmed by coronary angiography. In this report, we emphasized that ALCAPA may cause dilated cardiomyopathy also in newborn period and we aimed that enhanced awareness of this disease. (Turk Arch Ped 2011; 46:256-8)