Theoretical study related to left ventricular energetics.

This study presents new mathematical relations to link oxygen consumption to different areas under the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR). The approach consists of approximating the relation between oxygen consumption and left ventricular pressure by a quadratic polynomial, and then relating the coefficients of the quadratic polynomial to different areas under the ESPVR. The procedure applies to both ejecting contraction and isovolumic contraction. The concept of external energy reserve, EER, is introduced and experimental data that corroborate the derived theoretical results are discussed. The clinical significance of the results obtained enhances the potential possibility of using ESPVR in clinical work.