Collateral Circulation

Collateral blood vessels develop by growth of pre or newly formed structures in almost all vascular provinces as a consequence of progressing stenosis of the main artery. These alternative routes of blood supply are potentially able to alter the course of vascular disease. Collateral development is a time consuming process, and arterial stenosis and occlusion often progress faster than growth of the alternative routes. The authors' ultimate goal is to provide a better understanding of collateral