Arterialization of the coronary veins in diffuse coronary arteriosclerosis.

Since the coronary veins and capillaries are not involved with arteriosclerotic disease the authors performed experimental, and afterwards, clinical total and selective coronary vein arterialization. Acute myocardial ischaemia created for instance by ligation of the anterior descending branch, was treated by an internal mammary artery to regional coronary vein anastomosis. In 21 patients the selective arterialization of the "Vena cordis magna" or of "Vena cordis media", and total arterialization of the coronary sinus was performed. The clinical improvement and follow-up studies seem to be promising in the treatment of patients with advanced diffuse heavy coronary arteriosclerosis. In acute myocardial ischaemia with coronarographically localized coronary occlusion, the aim of regional vein arterialization is to minimize the area of infarction.