The physiologic importance of coronary collateral vessels was investigated in 19 men undergoing transient proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) branch without sedative medication. No vasodilators were given before LAD balloon occlusion. Six men had angiographic filling of the LAD via coronary collateral vessels (Group 1) and 13 did not (Group 2). Aortic, distal coronary and left ventricular (LV) filling pressures and great cardiac vein blood flow (thermodilution) were recorded continuously during occlusion. During LAD occlusion, clinical and electrocardiographic evidence for transient myocardial ischemia occurred more often in patients in Group 2 than in Group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant. Heart rate and aortic and distal coronary pressures were similar in Groups 1 and 2. LV filling pressure was 3 mm Hg higher in Group 2 patients (p less than 0.05). The aortic to distal coronary pressure difference and the distal coronary to LV filling pressure difference were also similar in Groups 1 and 2. However, residual great cardiac vein flow was 55% higher (p less than 0.05) and the calculated coronary collateral resistance index was 45% lower in patients in Group 2 compared with those in Group 1 (p less than 0.01). Coupling of regional coronary venous blood flow estimates to pressure measurements routinely made during angioplasty is a new technique that allows evaluation of determinants of coronary collateral function in conscious humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)