Rate of Change in Myocardial Glycogen and Lactic Acid Following Arrest of Coronary Circulation

Abstract

Comparative studies of glycogen content, rate of glycolysis, and lactic acid accumulation were carried out over a 2 hour period in potassium-arrested hearts excised from dogs with and without preliminary infusion of glucose and insulin. Glycogen consumption occurred at 60 to 100 per cent of the expected rate for 60 min., but was subsequently much less in both groups of animals. Lactic acid accumulation apparently was a critical factor with respect to continued metabolism after 60 min. Reperfusion of the coronary circulation after 90 min. of circulatory arrest revealed damage to the coronary microcirculation.