In the exposed animal and human heart, coronary flow reduction results in a significant decrease of regional myocardial temperature. Epicardial temperature can be recorded instantaneously by the use of thermography. In contrast to other techniques, this method allows continuous assessment of rapid coronary flow changes and shows exactly the extent of myocardium involved. Value and limits of thermocardiography in animal experiments and during coronary bypass surgery are discussed and typical examples of myocardial thermograms obtained at various interventions are shown.

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