Direct left ventricle-to-coronary artery stent restores perfusion to chronic ischemic swine myocardium.

Background: Direct left ventricle (LV)-to-coronary artery shunts (VSTENT) have been proposed as an alternative means of myocardial revascularization. The goal of this study was to examine quantitative changes in myocardial perfusion and possible mechanisms of revascularization with an LV-to-coronary shunt.

Methods: Ameroid occluders were implanted on the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of 6 pigs to create chronic ischemia.