Contribution to the solution of the question of lympho-venous anastomoses in heart of dog.

The efferent lymphatic vessels of the heart were ligated in 35 dogs and afterwards the systems of lymphatic and blood vessels were filled with various media by injection. Twelve of these dogs were sacrificed 30 min. after ligature and the remaining 23 dogs were left to survive for two to 132 days. After acute ligature of lymph routes, no lymphatic anastomoses could be found. In the protracted experiment, lympho-lymphatic anastomoses had developed between the interrupted trunks and very thin ones at the sites of adhesions between the epicardium and pericardium by the seventh to 14th day. In five out of 23 dogs, lymphovenous anastomoses of a calibre of 40-60 mum. were found between the seventh and 28th day after ligature. After one month, these LVA could no longer be found. Both forms of anastomoses, i.e. lympho-lymphatic and lymphovenous, may be present at the same time. The mutual relationship between these forms was discussed in the paper.