[Validity of the arteriovenous oxygen difference as guidance for controlling the output of an artificial heart].

The possibility of controlling an artificial heart by the arteriovenous oxygen difference is discussed by means of the model simulation of the human organism. The simulation results are compared with these of the control by the Starling mechanism. No improvement of the results was obtainable because the behaviour of the arteriovenous oxygen difference is very dependent on the kind and the ascent of the load. The control of the artificial heart by the Starling mechanism appeared more favourable also on changed conditions in the atrium.