Lathan was recently diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect - aortic anomoly of the left coronary artery (AAOLCA). This diagnosis was an accidently finding, in which this conditions is most often left undiagnosed. Unfortunately, many don't know they have this until a sudden cardiac event happens (which is typically during or slightly after sports/physical activity). Lathan has always been an athletic kid who has played multiple sports year round. 

Althought this is very life changing for Lathan and our family, we are extremely thankful to know about the diagnosis and we hope to bring awareness to others. If the opportunity is given, get further heart testing - it could save a life!

Many people, including Lathan, have normal EKG's with this condition. Knowledge of CPR and having an AED available are crucial if a sudden cardiac event occurs. 

A little about AAOCA:
Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare condition in which both of the coronary arteries arise from the same aortic sinus. In a normal heart, the left coronary artery arises from the left aortic sinus and the right coronary artery from the right aortic sinus. In AAOCA, one of the coronary arteries takes off from the aorta (the large blood vessel that brings blood to the body) from the wrong side, and is routed through or around the heart in a way that can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle or cause a potentially lethal heart rhythm. On occasion, there is only one coronary artery that supplies the heart with blood.

AAOCA is a congenital condition: children are born with it, though it may not be diagnosed until they are adolescents or adults and many people may never know they have it.

Depending on which coronary artery takes off from the wrong aortic sinus (or from a single coronary) the path it takes through or around the heart, determines if there is little impact on your child’s risk of sudden cardiac death or if there is the potential for a serious adverse cardiac event.