[Injection methods for the demonstration of the coronary arterial vasculature (author's transl)]

Four different methods for the demonstration of the coronary arterial vasculature are examined. Among the techniques studied corrosion casts (epoxid- and acrylic resin) permit the best qualitative and quantitative evaluation of superficial and deep arteries and arterioles. Down to the smallest infusible vessels of 15-25 mum there is practically no shrinkage. X-ray arteriography with an aqueous solution of barium sulphate is less suitable because X-rays allow no satisfactory stereoscopic view. The demonstration of arterioles and collaterals is limited to vessels larger than 50 mum because of the low resolution of the X-ray tube. Silicone rubber does not only fill the arteries, but also the capillary bed and the venous system. Therefore deeper parts of the vasculature can only be studied after slicing the heart. The substantial shrinkage of the material makes quantitative measurements difficult.