Chronic Effects of Aorta-Coronary Sinus Anastomosis of Beck in Dogs

Abstract

Studies were made on dogs at various times up to one year following the coronary sinus anastomosis of Beck to determine the chronic effects of the operation. The results indicate that the graft perfuses the capillary bed of the occluded circumflex artery for about five weeks after the operation and then loses its functional contact with the capillary bed probably because of obliterative venous changes. However, as a result of an anoxia, there is definite development of intercoronary collateral vessels during the first few weeks, which persist throughout the year even though there is no arterial occlusion. It is concluded that in dogs the Beck operation is protective against the major effects of coronary ligation because of retrograde capillary flow early and intercoronary anastomoses later.