the TIMI Investigators* Background. The influence of coronary collateral vessels on infarct size in humans remains controversial, partly because no previous study has examined the impact of collaterals present at the onset of acute myocardial infarction on infarct size.

An acute coronary occlusion with severe ischemic signs during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was successfully treated with a long balloon inflation. Subsequent balloon inflations did not produce ischemic signs. Distal coronary occlusion pressure rose significantly during balloon inflations of more than 2 min. It is hypothesized that an initial ischemic occlusion may improve tolerance to prolonged coronary occlusions. The underlying mechanism may be that further coronary collateral circulation is recruited over time.

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