Relationship of coronary flow and perfusion territory in dogs.

In this study the relationship between myocardial flow and perfusion territory at maximal vasodilation was examined for the left anterior descending (A), circumflex (C), right (R), and septal (S) coronary arteries. Average flows to A, C, R, and S were 31.2 +/- 1.5 (SE), 41.2 +/- 13.5 +/- 0.6, and 14.1 +/- 0.6% of total coronary flow. Strong correlations were found between weight and volume, weight and coronary flow, and weight and resistance of the perfusion territories of A, C, R, and S. However, coronary flow (milliliter per minute per gram) to the right ventricle was significantly lower than to the left ventricle. Examination of the distribution of perfusion territories from base to apex of the heart showed that the anterior descending territory increases from base to apex, whereas the right decreases from base to apex. Circumflex flow distribution is relatively uniform between these limits, and the septal artery is most pronounced at midlevel and tapers toward the apex and base.