Comparison of Systemic and Coronary Hemodynamics in the Normal Human Male and Female

Abstract

Coronary and systemic hemodynamics were compared in 15 normal men and 15 normal women. Systemic hemodynamics were very similar. The women had 26.5 per cent greater coronary flow and 19.6 per cent more oxygen consumption/100 Gm. of left ventricular myocardium. Their calculated coronary vascular resistance was 35 per cent less. Significant negative correlations between coronary flow and calculated heart weight, and between cardiac oxygen consumption and calculated heart weight, as well as between coronary flow and hematocrit probably explain the differences in part. Whether hormonal or anatomic differences are also significant is not known.