Functional heterogeneity of oxygen supply-consumption ratio in the heart

In this review, the regional heterogeneity of the oxygen supply-consumption ratio within the heart is discussed. This is an important functional parameter because it determines whether regions within the heart are normoxic or dysoxic. Although the heterogeneity of the supply side of oxygen has been primarily described by flow heterogeneity, the diffusional component of oxygen supply should not be ignored, especially at high resolution (tissue regions << 1 g). Such oxygen diffusion does not seem to take place from arterioles or venules within the heart, but seems to occur between capillaries, in contrast to data recently obtained from other tissues. Oxygen diffusion may even become the primary determinant of oxygen supply during obstructed flow conditions. Studies aimed at modelling regional blood flow and oxygen consumption have demonstrated marked regional heterogeneity of oxygen consumption matched by flow heterogeneity Direct, non-invasive indicators of the balance between oxygen supply and consumption include NADH videofluorimetry (mitochondrial energy state) and microvascular PO2 measurement by the Pd-porphyrin phosphorescence technique. These indicators have shown a relatively homogeneous distribution during physiological conditions supporting the notion of regional matching of oxygen supply with oxygen consumption. NADH videofluorimetry, however, has demonstrated large increases in functional heterogeneity of this ratio in compromised hearts (ischemia, hypoxia, hypertrophy and endotoxemia) with specific areas, referred to as microcirculatory weak units, predisposed to showing the first signs of dysoxia. It has been suggested that these weak units show the largest relative reduction in flow (independent of absolute flow levels) during compromising conditions, with dysoxia initially developing at the venous end of the capillary.