The porcine bronchial artery. Anastomoses with oesophageal, coronary and intercostal arteries

Abstract

Information abut the existence and anatomy of arterial anastomoses with the porcine bronchial artery is lacking in the literature. Prior to basic physiological investigations in a porcine model related to lung transplantation with bronchial artery revascularisation, this study was designed to examine the anatomy of systemic arterial anastomoses with the bronchial artery system. Twenty pigs were studied in 3 groups. In 2 groups the heart-lung block was removed with all mediastinal structures. One group served for investigation of coronary-bronchial artery anastomoses and one for investigation of oesophageal-bronchial artery anastomoses. The systemic arteries to be examined were cannulated. The inflated heart-lung block was examined macroscopically with Evans blue, and radiographically after contrast injection. In the 3rd group intercostobronchial artery anastomoses were studied radiographically with the heart-lung block in situ. Coronary-bronchial artery anastomoses were demonstrated in 3 of the 5 pigs with an aortic ' pouch ' technique, but contrast was very limited in 2 of these 3. Oesophageal arterial anastomoses with bronchial arterial branches and\or the pulmonary veins were demonstrated in 6 of the 7 pigs and more markedly than the coronary-bronchial anastomoses. Intercostobronchial artery anastomoses could not be demonstrated angiographically. It was concluded that the existence of coronary-bronchial and oesophageal-bronchial artery anastomoses in the pig appear to establish an arterial net between the base of the heart and the distal oesophagus. The resemblance to human oesophageal-bronchial artery anastomoses supports use of a porcine model for experimental studies.

Morphological and embryological characteristics of bronchial arteries in the rat

“…There have been angiographic studies of anastomoses between the bronchial arteries and pulmonary, esophageal, coronary and intercostal arteries in dogs, pigs and humans (Jandik et al 1993;Gade et al 1999aGade et al , 1999b.…”

Topographic anatomy of bronchial arteries in the pig: a corrosion cast study

“…Communication between the bronchial arteries and the pulmonary arterial network has been identified (Berti et al. 1995; Gade et al. 1999a).…”

Bronchial Arterial Devascularization. An Experimental Study in Pigs

“…The broncho-oesophageal and oesophageal arteries were cannulated. For injection into the coronary arteries we constructed an aortic "pouch", ensuring that contrast would not enter the pulmonary veins via the left ventricle: The ascending aorta was transsected 2-3 cm from the aortic root, the aortic valves were closed tightly with hemoclips (Horizon Surgical 1 ), and the ascending aorta was ligated around a buttoned cannula (12). Angiography was then performed.…”