Experimental coronary artery bypass operation. Myocardial blood flow, ventricular performance and regional myocardial function.

Myocardial blood flow and ventricular function was studied in seven dogs with chronic myocardial ischemia before and after coronary bypass grafting. Restoring blood flow in an area of 25% of the anterior wall of the left ventricle did not significantly improve overall ventricular function. Assessment of intramyocardial pressure as an index of regional myocardial function revealed a consistent enhancement of myocardial contraction at rest, and under pharmacological stress of the heart.