Intercoronary anastomoses in congenital heart disease.

Thirty-five cases of congenital heart disease were investigated for the frequency and size of intercoronary anastomoses. Studies of control hearts showed normal intercoronary anastomoses to range to 74 μ in diameter. In those congenital hearts not subjected to surgical procedures, the anastomoses did not differ in size from the control group, even in the presence of anemia, cardiac hypertrophy, and cyanosis. However, the mean age of the cyanotic group was significantly less than the acyanotic group. Even though the size and frequency of the anastomoses were significantly increased in the operated group, surgical trauma alone was an unlikely stimulus, since the size and frequency of anastomoses in those dying within 48 hours of operation and in those surviving for more than 5 weeks were similar. There was also a significant increase in the frequency and size of the intercoronary anastomoses in cases greater than 5 years of age, implying that intercoronary communications in congenital heart disease increase in size with increasing age.