RT Journal
A1 Hébert PC, Fergusson DA
T1 DO transfusions get to the heart of the matter?
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2004
FD October 6
VO 292
IS 13
SP 1610
OP 1612
DO 10.1001/jama.292.13.1610
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.292.13.1610
AB 
Over the last half-century, it has become well recognized that patients
with cardiovascular diseases and, more specifically, ischemic heart disease
may be adversely affected by anemia. This is because the myocardium consumes
or extracts 60% to 75% of all oxygen delivered to the coronary circulation.1- 3 Such an elevated extraction
of oxygen, termed extraction ratio, is unique to the coronary circulation.
As a result, oxygen delivery to the myocardium can be augmented only by increasing
blood flow or oxygen content.1