Beneficial effect of physical training on blood flow to myocardium perfused by chronic collaterals in the exercising dog

To determine the effect of physical training on collateral blood flow, we measured regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) by injecting 15 μ radioactive microspheres at rest and during exercise in 14 dogs with chronic coronary occlusive lesions. Seven dogs subsequently trained for 6 wk while the other 7 remained in kennels. Training effect was documented by decrease in heart rate during exercise that averaged 35 beats/min. MBF studies were repeated after 6 wk. Myocardial samples were obtained from normally perfused zones (NZ) and from regions supplied via collaterals (collateral dependent zones or CZ). Initially, endocardial blood flow in CZ averaged 1.10 ml/min/g (83% of NZ, P<0.05) at rest and 1.36 ml/min/g (69% of NZ, P<0.05) during exercise, indicating relative underperfusion. Epicardial blood flow was equal in NZ and CZ. After 6 wk MBF was not significantly changed in control animals. After training, however, MBF to underperfused endocardium of CZ during exercise was 39% greater than it had been prior to training. The epicardial portion of CZ (not exhibiting underperfusion) showed no change in MBF during exercise after training. The data suggest that beneficial effects of training in coronary disease may include improvement in MBF to underperfused collateral-dependent portions of myocardium.