Figure 3.

Graphs showing improved heart function in hearts suspended in air compared to hearts immersed in KH+O₂ during normothermic ischemia. (A) The experimental procedure used to perfuse hearts in different groups. (B) The mean values of the rate pressure product (RPP) of hearts in different groups subjected to 18 minutes of global normothermic ischemia conserved either by immersion in KH or suspended in air and reperfused for 40 minutes (Rep-40) (black) or 60 minutes (Rep-60) (blue), of dP/dt max (C) and -dP/dt min (D). There were no significant differences throughout reperfusion between any group of hearts immersed in KH during ischemia. Similar results were obtained with hearts suspended in air during ischemia. However, recovery of cardiac function was much greater in hearts suspended in air than in hearts immersed in KH during the ischemic period. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM; *P<0.05 hearts immersed in KH+O₂ versus hearts maintained in air during ischemia (n = 5-10/group).