Red Cell Washout from the Coronary Vessels of Isolated Feline Hearts

Abstract

In cases of ischemic heart disease, it has been generally accepted that collateral channels may develop to help supply blood to the myocardial region having occluded coronary vessels. However, an adequate theory has not been established yet to elucidate the mechanism of developing collaterals in the coronary circuit. Some difficulties arising from various characteristics of the vessels have discouraged investigation on this specific topic. These are: (1) The microscopic pathways for blood in the coronary system are much more complicated than expected from similar structures in any other organs (Wearn et al. 1933). (2) Direct communication between blood in the myocardial capillaries and blood in the ventricular chambers appears to play a significant role, depending on the phase of the cardiac cycle (Hammond & Moggio, 1971). (3) The intraventricular pressure always exceeds that in coronary arteries during systole due to the myocardial contraction.