Canonical Question
Mycocardial O2
Master answer
Coronary Blood Flow
- 80 mL/min/100 g
- or 200-250 mL/min
- 5% of CO at rest
- Can increase by 3-4 times (up to 400mL/min/100g)
\[ CoroBF \; = \; {{CVP} \over {CVR}} \]
Coronary Perfusion Pressure
\[ CPP \; =\]
\[ADP \; – \; (larger \; of \; LVDP \; or \; RAP) \]
- ADP = Ao Diastolic Pressure
- Varies throughout the cycle and b/w ventricles

Coronary Vascular Resistance
- Physical Factors
- Extravascular compression (CPP factors)
- LCA flow stops in systloe
- RCA flow continuous throughout the cycle
- Neural and Neurohumoral Factors
- ↑ SNS tone →
- α receptor mediated vasoconstriction
- β receptor mediated vasodialtion
- ↑ force and rate of contractions → ↑ vasodialtor metabolite release
- Overall effect is dilation
- ↑ PSNS tone → KACh stimulation → mild ↓ Coronary vascular resistance
- ↑ SNS tone →
- Metabolic Factors (main)
- Vasodilatory (↑’d with ↑ HR)
- ↑ Adenosine, H, K, CO2, Lactate
- NO → GTP
- ↑ O2 demand → ↓ ATP → ↑KATP channel activation → hyperpolarisation → vasodilation
- Vasodilatory (↑’d with ↑ HR)
- Myogenic autoregulation (keep CPP 60-180 mmHg)

Determinants of myocardial O₂ demand:
- MVO₂ (ie extraction)
- High at rest (55-65%) cf. body average of 25%
- Extraction ratio can only rise by factor of < 2 to 90%
- AV Δ O₂ = 11 mL/dL
- Coronary venous O₂ content = 5 mL/dL
- Normally consumption 21 to 27 mls of O2/min.
- Determined by
- Wall tension.
- preload (EDV/EDP) and afterload (SVR)
- Contractility.
- Heart rate.
- ↑HR → ↓ supply
- ↑HR → ↑ demand (as ↑ MRO2)
- Wall tension.
CICMWrecks 2016
Exam appearances
| Exam | Exact wording | Relationship | Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007B Q19 | Describe the effects of a tachycardia on myocardial oxygen supply and demand in a normal heart. | historical_member | — |