Revascularization of the Heart

Abstract

A free graft of vein was placed between the aorta and coronary sinus. Three weeks later the sinus was partially occluded at its ostium in the right auricle. Blood from the aorta was made available to the myocardium by way of the venous system. After these procedures were done a histologic study of the venous and arterial channels was carried out. The coronary sinus and its tributaries showed hyperplasia of the intima. The anterior cardiac veins showed dilatation with little or no hyperplasia of intima. None of the veins became occluded. Complete occlusion of major coronary arteries was done. These arteries distal to the occlusion showed medial sclerosis and atrophy. They did not show thrombosis. The myocardium distal to an occluded artery showed many vascular channels.