[The effect of the collateral circulation on the total and regional myocardial function in coronary disease].

The cinecoronarograms, ventriculograms and electrocardiograms of 164 consecutive patients (32 patients without heart disease and 132 patients with coronary artery disease) have been analyzed. Total left ventricular function was assessed by the ejection fraction. Regional myocardial function was determined by a system of hemiaxes. 89 patients with complete obstruction of the right coronary artery (RC) and/or the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery (LAD) were divided into subgroups with good, poor and no coronary collaterals. Total and regional left ventricular function was normal in patients with well collateralized coronary occlusions. Patients with poorly collateralized or non-collateralized occlusions had impaired left ventricular function. Patients with poorly collateralized coronary occlusions showed no difference in left ventricular function when compared to patients with coronary occlusions without collaterals. Combined occlusions of the RC + LAD without collaterals were not found. Good coronary collaterals have a protective effect on total and regional myocardial function, thus improving the prognosis in complete coronary artery obstruction.