Open AccessThe significance of coronary collateral circulation in the preservation of myocardial function
Author(s) -
Vladimir Ivanović,
Nikola Jelkić,
Miroslav Bikicki,
Milovan Petrović,
Tibor Čanji,
Ilija Srdanović
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
medicinski pregled
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1820-7383
pISSN - 0025-8105
DOI - 10.2298/mpns0706287i
Subject(s) - medicine , collateral circulation , cardiology , coronary circulation , circulation (fluid dynamics) , collateral , blood flow , mechanics , finance , physics , economics
After occlusion or subocclusion of the blood vessels, myocardial perfusion is maintained through the collateral vessels. There are two mechanisms of vessel formation: arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. The term arteriogenesis describes the growth of the existing collaterals into mature arteries. On the other hand, angiogenesis, is a process of developing new blood vessels from the preexisting ones. Collateral blood vessels have many functional roles. If they are adequately developed, they can protect the myocardium from ischemic injury. Even when a total occlusion develops, regional left ventricular motility is better in segments with developed collateral circulation. In patients with well-developed collaterals, who experience coronary artery occlusion, often there is no evidence of myocardial infarction in the area of the occluded artery. Well-developed collaterals reduce the risk of unstable cardiac events.