© 2000 by European Society of Cardiology
Copyright © 2000, European Society of Cardiology
Constriction of native coronary collaterals
Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
* Tel.: +1-410-955-5997; fax: +1-410-955-0852 lbecker@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Received 16 May 2000; accepted 16 May 2000
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See article by Mansaray et al. [5] (pages 359–366) in this issue.
Interconnections between adjacent coronary arteries, known as "collateral vessels," were discovered as early as the 17th century [1]. Anatomically, collaterals provide conduits through which blood can flow from normal to jeopardized myocardial regions, following obstruction of the antegrade blood supply. However, controversy has existed for decades about the true functional significance of the coronary collateral system. Native collateral vessels, consisting of thin walled vascular structures with a rudimentary smooth muscle coat, were thought for many years to be