Selective Revascularization of the Myocardium by Internal-Mammary-Artery Implant

IN 1946 Vineberg1 reported that implantation of the internal mammary artery into the anterior wall of the left ventricular myocardium of dogs effected an anastomosis with the intramyocardial branches of the left coronary arterial system. The likelihood of such a connection could be enhanced through induction of local myocardial ischemia by simultaneous stenosis of the anterior descending coronary artery. This work was extended to a small group of human subjects2 but remained incompletely tested because selection of cases based on identification of site and degree of arterial disease was not possible, and subsequent evaluation of results was not feasible. The . . .