Relation Between Basal Metabolism and Minute Volume of Circulation

Abstract

One of the main functions of the circulation is the transportation of oxygen. A priori, reasoning would indicate that there is a close correlation between oxygen consumption and rate of oxygen transportation. Grollman1 expressed this supposed relationship in his “cardiac index” which correlates minute volume at rest with square meters of body surface. He defines “cardiac index” as the minute volume per square meter of body surface. In a large series of determinations on normal individuals, he found that his “cardiac index” was 2.2 liters per square meter of body surface. The standard deviation in this series of determinations was 0.3. Grollman's cardiac index does not take into account the variability in the basal metabolic rate of normals. As we know, this rate varies —15 to +15 in any large series of normal cases. Believing that a better cardiac index could be obtained by taking into consideration the basal metabolic rate, we have constructed a formula which fits the determination somewhat better than t...