Anastomoses + Coronary Arteries

• Anastomoses

  • in health there are no or very few anastomoses (very small interconnections) between coronary arteries
  • This means that if there is a sudden occlusion of a coronary artery, all the myocardial fibres distal to the occlusion and dependent on the blocked vessel may potentially die (myocardial Infarction)
• Anastomoses

  • However, if an individual experiences repeated bouts of myocardial ischaemia (angina), anastomoses may develop to provide additional routes for blood flow
  • Known as a collateral circulation, these additional small vessels may help some tissues survive a major arterial obstruction, and limit the size of an infarction