ROLE OF CORONARY COLLATERAL CIRCULATION IN PROTECTING ISCHAEMIC MYOCARDIUM, ANATOMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

The coronary collateral (CC) circulation is an alternative source of blood supply to the myocardium jeopardized by failure of the native occluded or severely stenotic artery to supply adequate blood flow to the myocardium. The functional significance of CC is controversial despite their perfect anatomical description (Gensini and Bruto, 1969; David Leven, 1974), and varies from complete protection on one hand to be a marker of severe ischaemia on the other hand (Helfant et al, 1971; Piek and Becker, 1988). Many studies have demonstrated the protective role of CC in human hearts with IHD in preserving myocardial function in the condition of coronary flow obstruction (Libergan et a/, 1999), showing smaller size of acute MI, ameliorating consequences of acute MI (Gabriel et al, 1991). Myocardial viability after acute MI is correlated with the extent of the collateral flow within the territory of the infarct related artery (Sabia eta/, 1992). Also, CC decrease formation of LV aneurysm (Tadakzu et a/ 1989).