Glycogen, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid contents of the myocardium under conditions of compensatory hyperfunction

Compensatory hyperfunction of the left ventricle after ligating off part of its muscle results in cardiac insufficiency, followed by a relatively stable compensation. The glycogen content of the working part of the myocardium of the left ventricle fell to a low level soon after ligation, and was still at this level a month after operation. This is evidence of diminution in the potential energy resources of the heart. The lactic and pyruvic acid contents did not vary substantially.