[Study of coronary flow in man]

Abstract

Especially for the last decade, measurement of total and regional coronary blood flow has raised a considerable interest. Various techniques resorting to indicators introduced into the systemic or the coronary circulation are used. Measurement of the coronary blood flow is derived from the pattern of myocardial indicator uptake or washout curves. The currently available techniques for quantitating coronary flow include inert diffusible gases, radioisotopes and continuous thermodilution; each of these has some methodological limitations. Moreover, regulation of coronary circulation depends upon several factors, and quantitative assessment of coronary perfusion in patients with ischemic heart disease has raised appreciable difficulties. Recently, however, measurement of myocardial blood flow during stress in subjects with coronary artery disease has yielded promising results. The importance of these techniques, in assessing the functional consequences of coronary stenoses, is multifold and their clinical applications will grow quickly.