The Effect of Cell Size and Capillary Spacing on Myocardial Oxygen Supply

Abstract

Since the beginning of this century a considerable effort has been spent on the theoretical analysis of oxygen supply to the tissues as well as on collecting the experimental data necessary for such computations. Nevertheless, the situation remains far from resolved. There are several possible modes of oxygen transport, e.g. simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, convection or stirring. In this presentation, dealing with the oxygen supply to the heart, we will use only the most basic approach, namely simple diffusion. Steady state diffusion is incorporated in the classical model of Krogh (1919) which has been widely used as the most effective approach. The Krogh model, however, is based on many simplifications and assumptions as discussed recently by Kreuzer (1982). One of the limitations of the Krogh model is the fact that it is based on mean entry data, neglecting the heterogeneity of the actual situation.