ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the basic principles and methods required for preparing a reliable Langendorff heart. The Langendorff heart preparation is one of the earliest models of an isolated organ, used by physiologists and pharmacologists to investigate function and effect of different agents on an isolated tissue. Considering that ventricular muscle is highly vascularized, inotropic agents perfused into the heart rapidly gain access to all ventricular muscle cells, leading to a greater sensitivity of the preparation to perfused agents. The key elements for successful operation of a Langendorff heart are uniform flow of buffer at a constant pressure; constant temperature of perfused buffer; and continous oxygenation of the buffer. Mechanical performance of the heart is monitored by balloon inserted inside the left ventricle. Air bubbles may build up in the trap over time and enter the heart. Bacterial growth in the water supply or reagents can also deteriorate heart function due to the release of toxins and proteases from the bacteria.
