Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2015
Blood flow velocity in donor coronary artery depends on the degree and pattern of collateral vessel development: a
Plamen Gatzov1, Athanassios Manginas, Vassilis Voudris
1Onassis Cardiac Surgery center, Athens, Greece. plameng@omega.bg
Insights
Collateral vessels significantly influence coronary blood flow velocity, with the left anterior descending artery showing faster flow when supplying collaterals. The pattern and degree of these vessels impact coronary flow dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) often involves single occlusions, leading to the development of collateral circulation.
- Understanding the impact of collateral vessels on coronary blood flow is crucial for assessing myocardial perfusion and ventricular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of collateral vessels on coronary blood flow velocity using the TIMI frame count (TFC) method.
- To analyze how the degree and pattern of collateral supply affect blood flow in donor coronary arteries.
Main Methods:
- The TIMI frame count (TFC) method was employed to measure mean coronary blood flow velocity.
- Angiograms from 76 patients with single occluded coronary arteries (RCA or LAD) and 30 controls were analyzed.
- Collateral vessel degree (Rentrop classification) and type (proximal, distal, mixed) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Faster blood flow (lower TFC) was observed in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery supplying collaterals to an occluded right coronary artery (RCA) compared to controls.
- Higher collateral degree and distal/mixed collateral types were associated with faster flow in the LAD.
- No significant difference in TFC was found in the RCA supplying collaterals to an occluded LAD compared to controls.
- Contrast appearance was delayed in occluded LAD versus occluded RCA, but earlier with proximal collateral supply from the RCA.
Conclusions:
- Coronary flow in donor arteries is modulated by both the extent and pattern of collateral vessels.
- The TIMI frame count (TFC) is a valuable tool for studying collateral filling patterns and their functional impact.
- Collateral vessel characteristics significantly influence coronary hemodynamics in patients with occluded arteries.
Abstract:
To understand the influence of collateral vessels on the coronary flow, TIMI frame count (TFC) method was applied as a measure of mean coronary blood flow velocity in artery giving collateral blood supply to the other artery in angiograms of 76 patients with single occluded coronary artery: RCA giving collaterals to occluded LAD or LAD giving collaterals to occluded RCA. As a control group, TFC was applied in angiograms of 30 patients with mild or no coronary artery disease. TFC was lower (faster blood flow) in LAD giving collaterals to occluded RCA (43 patients) than in LAD in control group (21.8 +/- 10.5 vs. 33.9 +/- 20.8 frames; P < 0.01). Higher degree of collateral vessels (Rentrop classification) and mixed- and distal-type collaterals (through the interventricular septum and heart apex) was associated with lower TFC. There was no difference in TFC in the RCA giving collaterals to an occluded LAD (33 patients) compared to the TFC in RCA in control group (16.6 +/- 9.0 vs. 18.5 +/- 6.0; P = NS), even in angiograms with higher degree of collateral vessel development. TFC was lower (faster blood flow) only in subgroups with mixed (proximal and distal types together in the same patient) and distal (through the interventricular septum and the apex of the heart) collateral types. A delayed contrast appearance in occluded LAD compared to occluded RCA has been found (35.1 +/- 16.1 vs. 20.2 +/- 7.3 frames; P < 0.001) with earlier contrast appearance in occluded LAD when proximal collateral vessels (through the conal and acute marginal branches of RCA) were presented. The coronary flow in donor arteries depends not only on the degree but also on the pattern of collateral vessels. The simple TFC method may facilitate the study of collateral filling pattern and offer insight into the influence of collaterals on the ventricular function.
