Work

Sealing the gap: successful transcatheter device closure of baffle leak after ALCAPA repair in an infant—a case report

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare and serious congenital coronary anomaly leading to significant myocardial ischaemia and high mortality if untreated. The Takeuchi repair is an alternative treatment method, although it carries the risk of baffle leaks, a common complication. Case summary: We present a 7-month-old girl with decompensated heart failure and severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, diagnosed with Lateral Sinus ALCAPA. Following the Takeuchi procedure and subsequent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, she developed a baffle leak, which was successfully treated using percutaneous transcatheter closure. Discussion: Baffle leaks are a common complication post-Takeuchi repair of ALCAPA. Early identification and management are crucial. Percutaneous transcatheter closure offers a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for treating baffle leaks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented instance of transcatheter closure for a baffle leak following Takeuchi repair in an infant.

Source: European Heart Journal - Case Reports

DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytag208

Authors: Samir Bhatia, Philip Roberts, Julian Ayer

Institutions: Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network

Language: English

Topic: Coronary Artery Anomalies

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $815