sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for collapse, severe breathing difficulty, persistent severe chest pain, or signs of cardiac arrest.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the cardiology team sooner than scheduled for new palpitations, chest discomfort, fainting, worsening shortness of breath, swelling, or reduced exercise tolerance.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Lifelong follow-up with a congenital heart disease specialist is essential after ALCAPA repair, even when a person feels well.

    Monitoring can identify changes before symptoms develop.

    Follow-up may include an examination, ECG, echocardiogram, exercise testing, rhythm monitoring, CT, or cardiac MRI.

The article also says

The schedule depends on the operation, heart function, mitral valve leakage, coronary anatomy, and rhythm history.

Patients and families should keep copies of the original anatomy records, operative report, and later imaging.

Adults treated during childhood should receive care through an adult congenital heart disease program rather than relying only on general cardiology care.

Anyone with repaired ALCAPA who is considering pregnancy should have a preconception assessment with an adult congenital cardiologist and a pregnancy team experienced in heart disease.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.