answersLogoWhite

0

When a collateral vessel on the heart enlarges, it lets blood flow from an opencoronary artery to an adjacent one or further downstream on the same artery. In this way, collateral vessels grow and form a kind of "detour" around a blockage. This collateral circulation provides alternate routes of blood flow to the heart in cases when the heart isn't getting the blood supply it needs.

When an artery in the brain is blocked due to stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), open collateral vessels can allow blood to "detour" around the blockage. This collateral circulation restores blood flow to the affected part of the brain.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?