Effect of Exercise on Cardiac Output, Left Coronary Flow and Myocardial Metabolism in the Unanesthetized Dog

Cardiac output, left coronary artery flow, central aortic blood pressure and myocardial metabolism have been studied in the intact unanesthetized dog during exercise. Cardiac output and left coronary artery flow increase 350 to 400% during moderately severe exercise. The primary mechanical determinant of this increase appears to be cardio-acceleration; the stroke volume and stroke coronary flow contribution is relatively mild. Myocardial oxygen usage increases 300% or more with only a small elevation of the percentage of extraction of oxygen. The large increase of coronary flow in the dog and the significant elevation in hematocrit supply the extra oxygen.