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Abstract

1. Pressure was measured in the small arterial anastomosing branches of the coronary vascular network. The mean value was 30 mm Hg not significantly different from the mean value of 33 mm Hg for peripheral coronary pressure measured distal to a ligature on the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Evidence was adduced to show that either the anterior descending or the circumflex artery had the capacity to maintain network pressure at levels adequate for tissue perfusion.

2. The network has both capacity and compliance. Filling of the network compliance during systole probably accounts for the systolic phase of coronary flow. Flow through the microcirculation is probably entirely diastolic, the combined compliance of the aorta and large vessels together with the network provides the necessary reservoir, the potential energy indicated by diastolic pressure provides the perfusion pressure head.

3. Resistance of vessels between the aorta and network cannula (pre-net) was approximately double that of the microcirculation (post-net). The smaller pre-network vessels are of the order 70 µm in diameter. Both pre- and post-network vessels are vaso-active and respond similarly to adrenaline and haemorrhage.