METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING LEFT VENTRICLE OF THE HEART TO THE ANTERIOR INTERVENTRICULAR VEIN TO STIMULATE COLLATERAL DEVELOPMENT IN ISCHEMIC REGIONS
A method for stimulation of collateral development in ischemic cardiac regions comprises the fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein to stimulate collateral development in ischemic regions. The fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein includes a control of the diastolic/systolic pressure in the venous system to be within about 20-50 mmHg. The fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein includes inserting a transmyocardial conduit into the left ventricle and a tri-directional coupler attached to the anterior interventricular vein. An associated apparatus for stimulation of collateral development in ischemic cardiac regions via the fluid coupling of the left ventricle of the heart to the anterior interventricular vein is disclosed.
