The microvascular unit size for fractal flow heterogeneity relevant for oxygen transport

In this study we used a computer model for oxygen transport in heterogeneously perfused tissue to define the microvascular unit size of relevance to oxygen transport. Flow within this unit is presumably heterogeneous, but this internal heterogeneity is by definition of negligible importance for the oxygen tension distribution. In saline-perfused heart the linear dimension of the thus defined unit is 500 microns, in blood-perfused heart it is 100 microns.