Hypoxemia, Hypercapnia, and Cardiac Arrhythmias: The Importance of Regional Abnormalities of Vascular Distensibility

Abstract

The detailed work reported in this issue by Rogers et al once again emphasizes the durable defense systems of the mammalian heart. Self-perpetuating and self-regulating mainspring of vertebrate life, the human heart is so well designed that normal man can withstand the weightlessness of outer space, the cold of the Antarctic continent, the oxygen demands of a four-minute mile, and the emotional stress of sudden pleasure or deep despair. And all of this with little change in myocardial oxygen tension.