An eight-month old female infant had a history of poor weight gain from the age of four months and two bouts of pneumonia, at five and eight months. On physical examination she presented polypnea, S3 and a grade III/VI holosystolic murmur over the apex, radiating to the axilla. The chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly, with a cardiothoracic index of 60%, and electrocardiography showed >3 mm Q waves in DI, aVL and V7 and T-wave inversion in V5-V7, suggestive of myocardial infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed left ventricular (LV) dilatation and global dysfunction, with LV diastolic diameter (LVDD) 46 mm (Z-score +12.44), fractional shortening (FS) 16% and biplane ejection fraction (EF) 25.4%, severe mitral regurgitation with poor leaflet coaptation, and an anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) (Figures 1 and 2). The patient was referred for surgery on the basis of the information obtained from these exams. Surgical correction consisted of reimplantation of the left coronary artery in the aorta (Figures 3 and 4). The surgery and postoperative period were uneventful. The patient was discharged eight days later, with reduced LV dimensions and significant improvement in global systolic function (LVDD 33 mm, Z-score +5.22, FS 23% and biplane EF 41.3%). Three months after the surgery, the child was clinically well with normal ventricular function.

Figure 1.

Transthoracic echocardiogram in parasternal short-axis view, showing an anomalous left coronary artery (arrow) from the pulmonary artery. ao: aorta; ap: pulmonary artery.

Figure 2.

Transthoracic echocardiogram in parasternal view, showing diastolic retrograde flow of the left coronary artery (arrow) to the pulmonary artery, causing coronary steal. ao: aorta; ap: pulmonary artery.

Figure 3.

Intraoperative photograph, showing the pulmonary artery and left coronary artery (arrow) open. ao: ascending aorta; ap: pulmonary artery.

Figure 4.

Intraoperative photograph, showing the left coronary artery (arrow) anastomosed to the ascending aorta and the pulmonary artery open. ao: ascending aorta; ap: pulmonary artery.

Although rare, ALCAPA must be excluded as the cause of LV dilatation and dysfunction in newborns and infants, since it can be surgically corrected, with excellent prognosis at this age.