Myocardial function in patients with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery syndrome: A long-term speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

Background: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart disease. Retrograde flow from the right coronary artery (RCA) through natural collaterals to the low-pressure main pulmonary artery causes extensive ischemia. Limited data concerning the extent of permanent myocardial damage and functional recovery after surgical repair in the long-term follow-up is available.