Noncoronary collateral distribution in coronary artery disease.

Noncoronary collateral flow is a potential hazard when cold cardioplegia is used for myocardial protection. In this study, noncoronary collateral flow was observed during coronary revascularization in 58 patients. It was distributed significantly (p less than 0.005) toward arteries demonstrating intercoronary collateral flow angiographically - 1.0 of 35 with and 12 of 121 without. Preponderance of coronary collateral flow in hearts with more extensive disease may complicate cardioplegic myocardial protection for such patients.