Effect ofSalvia Miltiorrhiza on coronary collateral circulation in dogs with experimental acute myocardial infarction

Summary To evaluate the effect ofSalvia Miltiorrhiza on coronary collateral circulation in dogs with experimental acute myocardial infarction, 12 dogs were randomly divided intoSalvia Miltiorrhiza group (group D) and control group (group C). Acute myocardial infarction model was established in all dogs,Salvia Miltiorrhiza or saline was administered to the 2 groups respectively for 21 days. Coronary angiography was performed before and after ligation of coronary artery. The capillaries and distribution vessel density in tissue sections of myocardia were assessed. Angiography 2 h and 22 days after ligation of coronary artery revealed significant augmentation of collateral vessels, and capillaries and distribution vessel density in ischemic zone on day 22 showed statistically significant augmentation in group D as compared with that of controls (P< 0. 05 andP< 0. 01). It is concluded thatSalvia Miltiorrhiza might improve the opening and formation of coronary collateral circulation of ischemic myocardia in dogs and thereby protecting myocardia from ischemia. This project was supported by a grant from the Scientific Committee of Hubei Province (No. 951pl502).