[Differences in the activity of enzymes associated with energy metabolism in the heart atria and ventricles in children].

Tissue specimens from the right atrium and ventricle of the same heart were obtained during surgery in 45 children operated on account of congenital heart disease (tetralogy of Fallot and ventricular septal defect). Significant differences were found in the enzyme activities between the atrial and ventricular musculature. The activities of enzymes associated with aerobic metabolism (citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase, with lactate metabolism) lactate dehydrogenase (and the fatty acid oxidation) hydroxyacyl-SoA-dehydrogenase) were significantly higher in the ventricular musculature. Hexokinase, the enzyme responsible for glucose phosphorylation was on the other hand, significantly higher in the atria. From this ensues that the right ventricle can utilize and oxidize to a full extent all main nutrients (fatty acids, glucose and lactate), while the right atrium utilizes above all glucose. These atrio-ventricular differences do not depend on the type of the congenital heart disease and it may be assumed that they exist also in healthy subjects.