[Myocardial revascularization with a free skeletal muscle transplant--a functional analysis of angiogenesis]

In order to evaluate the functional aspect of myocardial neovascularization after grafting a free skeletal muscle flap onto the heart in the dog with an arterial anastomosis to the internal mammary artery (IMA), a gradual occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) was induced. This was achieved implanting an Ameroidconstrictor on the LAD, that due to its hygroscopical material induces a gradual coronary occlusion. The occlusion of the LAD was angiographically confirmed in vivo. In one dog the selective angiographical demonstration of the IMA anastomosed to the graft was achieved. This showed retrograde filling of the LAD occluded by the Ameroidconstrictor. These findings were confirmed in all dogs by a microvascular corrosion cast preparation of the vasculature induced from the graft, that was differentiated from the coronaries by a different coloured casting material. The occluded LAD was filled in all preparations by the casting material applied into the IMA. Thus, grafting of a free skeletal muscle flap anastomosed to the IMA onto the dog's heart produces a functional myocardial neovascularization.