Relation of coronary flow to oxygen supply

Abstract
Coronary flow, heart rate, myocardial oxygen consumption and Walton strain gauge tension were determined in the isolated rabbit heart perfused with hemoglobin solutions of varying oxygen content. Perfusion was carried out under constant pressure and with the hemoglobin solution in equilibrium with 3% CO2 and 97% air under atmospheric tension. Oxygen content was varied from 2 to 18 vol. % by diluting hemoglobin with Ringer-Locke solution. Change from a higher to lower oxyhemoglobin concentration resulted in increased coronary flow; the reserve led to decreased flow. Heart rate, myocardial tension and oxygen consumption were constant at oxygen capacity above 2 vol. %.