Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2)

Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) is a physiological measurement representing the amount of oxygen used by cardiac muscle per unit time. It reflects the metabolic demand of the myocardium and is determined by heart rate, contractility, wall tension (afterload), and to a lesser extent, preload. MVO2 is a key indicator in the assessment of cardiac function and is commonly estimated clinically using indices such as the pressure-rate product (heart rate multiplied by systolic blood pressure). While many cardiac drugs influence MVO2 as part of their therapeutic action (e.g., beta-blockers reduce it, inotropes increase it), MVO2 is not itself a molecular target but a functional parameter used to gauge the energy demands and efficiency of the heart.

Other names

Myocardial oxygen demandOxygen consumption of the heartMVO2Myocardial volume oxygen

Drugs may reduce MVO2 by decreasing heart rate, contractility, afterload, or preload (e.g., beta-blockers decrease heart rate and contractility; nitrates reduce preload and afterload)