The Effect of Arterialization of the Coronary Sinus in Dogs on Mortality Following Acute Coronary Occlusion

The mortality rates were determined in two groups of dogs following acute circumflex artery occlusion. Both groups were surgically prepared in the same manner. In a group of 20 dogs the coronary sinus was cannulated to divert the blood into the left jugular vein. Circumflex artery ligation resulted in 70 per cent mortality within one hour. In a second group of 10 dogs the coronary sinus was arterialized from the left subclavian artery and the sinus mean pressure was held at 50 mm. Hg. In this group circumflex artery ligation resulted in 100 per cent survival for one hour. Statistical analysis shows the results to be highly significant. The results strongly suggest that arterialization of the coronary sinus protects the hearts of dogs from ventricular fibrillation following coronary artery ligation.