Radiologic study of extracoronary arteries in living humans with special attention to coarctation of the aorta

This work discussed the problem of extracoronary vascularization of the heart. A selective bronchial arteriography was performed in 66 living subjects suffering mainly from neoplastic lung diseases. In 6 instances, the atrial branch of the bronchial artery (a b b a) was visualized radiographically. Frequency of appearance, course, and dimensions were analyzed. In addition, in 3 instances of coarctation of the aorta the angiographic demonstration of the a b b a was described. An extensive flow of the injected contrast material from the aorta to the heart through the a b b a was observed. In 9% of the instances of lung carcinoma, poorly developed extracoronary vascularization of the heart was shown by selective angiography of the bronchial arteries. In coarctation of the aorta, an intense development of extracoronary vascularization through a b b a was confirmed.