Forming Colaterals

[Atul71]

Sir / Madam , I am 39 M , having some blockages and I want to know how to form colaterals. In a stress thallium test some part of heart is showing little blocks. On treadmill I could get on to 185 HR for 1min 45 sec. I heard ECP helps in forming colaterals but can you suggest some alternatives ?

[kenkeith]

I haven't thought about it much although my cardiologist as recommended it...it is usually given to individuals that are not in good physical condition for a bypass, etc.

The procedure counter pulsation and is time with heart beats.  With additional timely pressure, the additional pressure can open collateral vessels to a better blood flow....that is the theory, and it seems to help about 60% of participants. The procedure is 1 hour day, 5 days a week for 7 weeks...total is 35 sessions. There are pressure cuffs to the entire lower extremity that pumps counter to the resting and pumping heartbeat...an individual is inclined on a gurney and can watch TV, etc.

Ed has made an interesting comment that I hadn't thought about.  The pressure from the counter pulsation can open knew vessels and the vessels may stay open for awhile, but when the body system goes back to its normal functioning the opened collaterals may close or less blood less blood will pass through due to reduced pressure. Or the vessels could remain open.

Collateral develops when the gradient pressure increases with the occluding vessels.  The increased pressure is more resistance that can redirect the blood flow to areas of less resistance and that would be collateral vessels if available.

Thanks for your question and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care.

[ed34]

Not everyone seems to open them naturally, but ECP does seem to work. However, in many cases the formation of collaterals using ECP is not permanent, top ups are required at regular intervals. I was lucky enough to form them naturally and if I hadn't then I would have been presented with many problems at least a decade ago. My left artery was totally blocked at the top and yet I was still able to work very hard in the building trade. I think that maybe if I had a desk job, then the vessels would not have formed. It was probably the shear level of exertion that caused their development.
I believe kenkeith has a lot more knowledge on this and hopefully he will give some info.