[Proceedings: Animal experimental studies on the effect of revascularizing measures following acute coronary...

In a comparative study the degree of myocardial damage has been estimated following one hour coronary occlusion and following a permanent coronary ligation in pigs. With regard to infarct size, no significant difference could be detected between the two experimental groups; the extent of cellular injury as determined by a histochemical staining procedure and by serial serum enzyme studies in the surviving animal is of equivalent degree. Nevertheless, the development of a ventricular aneurysm can be prevented by early reperfusion. Reestablishment of coronary circulation appears to accelerate the proliferation of a more resistant granulation tissue into the infarcted myocardial area. Our hemodynamic findings suggest that the effect of reperfusion is unfavourable in the immediate phase; later on, however, coronary reperfusion appears to be beneficial to cardiac function.