An Evaluation of Internal-Mammary-Artery Ligation by a Double-Blind Technic

Abstract

CONSIDERABLE relief of symptoms has been reported for patients with angina pectoris subjected to bilateral ligation of the internal mammary arteries.1 2 3 4 The physiologic basis for the relief of angina afforded by this rather simple operation is not clear. Allegedly, increased coronary flow is facilitated through collateral channels proximal to the site of ligation; these potential channels apparently do exist, as demonstrated by the injection studies of Battezzati et al.1 and Kitchell, Glover and Kyle.2 However, definitely increased coronary flow after bilateral internal-mammary-artery ligation has not been shown. Furthermore, this procedure does not afford protection to dogs after ligation of the . . .