The peripheral circulation and lactic acid metabolism in heart, or cardiovascular, failure.

Cellular Respiration and Cardiovascular Function T he most immediate task of the circulation is to provide oxygen to the cells of the body and to remove CO2. Other than to satisfy the tissue oxygen requirements, cardiac output probably does not need to be at the level at which it normally functions. At rest, on average, about one fourth of the oxygen is removed from the circulation by the body. Myocardial and skeletal muscle have relatively low blood flow relative to metabolic rate, whereas kidney has a very high blood flow. Thus, the arterial-venous 02 differences across the vascular beds of the body are quite variable. The unique aspect of the skeletal muscle circulation is its great ability to lower vascular resistance and to allow blood flow to increase. This process is essential if the increased 02 supply required to generate adequate high-energy phosphate for muscle contraction is to be accommodated. An inadequate 02 supply constitutes circulatory failure. Fac