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SYMPATHETIC amines increase the oxygen consumption of the myocardium and it has usually been assumed that this is related primarily, if not exclusively, to the increase effected in rate and contractility. The present investigation demonstrates an increase in myocardial oxygen consumption due to epinephrine during potassium-induced cardiac arrest, that is, in the absence of any chronotropic or inotropic effect. This metabolic increase in oxygen consumption is accompanied by an increase in glycerol release into the perfusion medium, suggesting that the rate of utilization of endogenous lipids rises.