Development of Interarterial Coronary Anastomoses by Chronic Anemia. Disappearance Following Correction of Anemia

Abstract

The effect of chronic severe anemia upon functional interarterial coronary anastomoses has been studied in dogs. Retrograde flow measurements at controlled aortic pressures and under conditions of normal viscosity and hemoglobin concentration indicate that severe chronic anemia stimulates growth of collaterals to a significant degree. On the other hand, removal of this stimulus by spontaneous recovery from anemia induces regression of collateral function to control levels.