Marxen F, Reich P, Turina M
Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1976;Suppl:121-5.
Myocardial flow and oxygen consumption are reduced during cardiopulmonary bypass. In ventricular fibrillation both flow and O2 consumption are higher than in the empty beating heart; after the fibrillation flow remains elevated although O2 consumption decreases. Aortic pressure is the major determinant of the myocardial flow rate, especially in hemodilution.