Oxygen consumption of the heart: Newer concepts of its multifactoral determination

Abstract

The development of tension and the contractile state of the myocardium are the primary determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption. Recognition of these two factors and their interrelation has served to explain a number of apparent discrepancies in the literature. Other factors, including basal myocardial oxygen consumption, activation energy and external work, also contribute to the myocardial oxygen consumption, but to a relatively minor extent. An understanding of these general principles should permit a more rational consideration of the determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption and the implications of these factors in disease states.