Main description:

Recently reported experimental retrograde coronary venous techniques protect the acute- ly ischemic myocardium and appear to be a sound approach for temporary support of the severely jeopardized myocardi urn. The current brief report refers to important features of coronary venous interventions, describes apparent improvements, and discusses persist- ing difficulties in research and developmental evaluation of results. Taking note of the need of informing the scientific community, the recently established International Work- ing Group on Coronary Sinus Interventions (2) wishes to become a forum in which free discussion and criticism should be encouraged in the hope of stimulating research and the development and application of safe methods in the treatment of coronary disease. The eventual objective is to more fully define the limitations of applications and those ranges in which they can be applied without incurring any risks. Our ultimate goal is to maxi- mize the efficiency of applications while at the same time preventing the occurrence of undesirable side effects. References I. Beck CS (1949) Revascularization of the heart. Surgery 26: 82-88 2.
Faxon D, Mohl W (1984) Summarizing statement of the panel of Working Groups. In: Mohl W, Wolner E, Glogar D (eds) The Coronary Sinus. SteinkopffVerlag, Darmstadt, pp 549-550 3. Meerbaum S, Lang TW, Osher JV et al (1976) Diastolic retroperfusion of acutely ischemic myo- cardium. Am J Cardiol 37: 558-98 4.

Contents:

Editorial.- Report of the international working group on coronary sinus interventions.- The so-called "silent zone" of the coronary sinus.- Inflow, outflow and pressures in the coronary circulation.- Coronary sinus interventions: clinical application.- The promise and limitations of coronary venous retroperfusion: lessons from the past and new directions.- Synchronized coronary sinus retroperfusion current clinical perspective.- PICSO status report 1985.- Retrograde cardioplegia: myocardial protection via the coronary veins - 1986.- Technological aspects of coronary sinus interventions.- Pros and cons - coronary sinus intervention vs. conventional therapy.- CSI: temporary support or long-term therapy.