[Evaluation of the functional status of the heart during aortocoronary shunting]

Direct recording of myocardial contractility and central hemodynamic measurements were made during volumetric load tests before and after the application of aortocoronary shunts in 12 coronary patients. Aortocoronary shunting is shown to lead to a considerable rise in threshold prestress values (end diastolic volume and end diastolic pressure) associated with emerging signs of myocardial ischemia. It is suggested that cardiac functional capacity is expanded as a result of coronary flow recovery.