Abstract
Summary
1) An experimental technic developed in dogs is described in which an endarterectomy incision into a normal major coronary artery has been followed by submergence of the freely bleeding coronary vessel into the myocardium. Such a coronary artery was demonstrated to remain patent in 15 of 17 dogs in which the submerged artery was studied at intervals of 9 to 22 weeks after surgery. The procedure has been free from thrombosis that not uncommonly attends insertion of coronary by-pass prostheses or anastomotic procedures upon the coronary arteries. 2) Regeneration of coronary endothelium has been demonstrated at 22 weeks unattended by clot or thrombus formation. It would appear likely that in the operation of coronary endarterectomy upon man the present procedure may simplify the operation and serve as a satisfactory method of controlling the opened vessel in those cases in which pathological change in the coronary artery makes closure of the arteriotomy wound undesirable.
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