[Evaluation of function of human collateral coronary arteries using myocardial contrast echocardiography].

The morphology of collateral vessels can be imaged by coronary angiography, but no method has been available for evaluating their function. This is a report of the use of regional myocardial perfusion to visualize collateral flow by means of myocardial contrast echocardiography in 28 patients with old myocardial infarction. Myocardial contrast echocardiography was accomplished by the intracoronary injection of two ml agitated amidotrizoate sodium meglumine. Short-axis images of the left ventricle were recorded on video tape. Those images were digitized off-line into a 512 x 512 pixel matrix. Using coronary angiography, the morphology and function of the collateral vessels were evaluated, then classified as poor, moderate or good. Myocardial perfusion was evaluated using the enhanced gray level after contrast injection, and the level was compared with the morphology and degree of collateral development. The enhanced gray level was evaluated arbitrarily as 3 +/- 2 U (mean +/- S.D.) in the "poor" group; 13 +/- 6 U in the "moderate" group; and 20 +/- 11 U in the "good" group (p less than 0.01 vs the "poor" group; NS vs the "moderate" group). Regional myocardial perfusion via the collateral vessels was generally proportional to the morphology. However, there were a few discrepancies between these two parameters.