title: [The isolated rabbit heart: comparison between five different modifications].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The isolated heart as an experimental model has been firmly established for more than 100 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, five modifications are compared: 1. modified Langendorff apparatus (LA) with modified Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution a) not containing bovine serum albumin (BSA; n = 13) and b) containing BSA (n = 16), 2. LA with KH solution containing BSH and bovine erythrocytes (n = 14), 3. LA with support rabbit (n = 6), and 4. "working heart" preparation with KH solution, BSA and bovine erythrocytes (n = 16). In the latter modification, no balloon was inserted into the left ventricular cavity, i. e., systemic and coronary circuits were not separated from each other. After completion of the preparation and 20-min stabilization, hemodynamic and metabolic data were assessed while the hearts were contracting in the ejecting mode. Thereafter, protocols for different studies were performed that are not presented here. However, the stability of the modifications within their individual protocols is reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results suggest that hearts perfused with KH solution are well suited for short protocols. In spite of the additional costs and time, blood perfusion is required for long-lasting protocols or if changes in coronary flow are to be investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The working heart exhibits both the best function and stability at a relatively low experimental expenditure. Yet, it is not suited for studies where perfusion pressure needs to be changed independent of arterial pressure.
authors.affiliation: Forschungsgruppe Experimentelle Chirurgie, Zentrum Operative Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmitz-Spanke
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seyfried
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schwanke
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Korbmacher
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sunderdiek
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Solange
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garcia Pomblum
authors.forename: Valdeci
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pomblum
authors.forename: Emmeran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gams
authors.forename: Jochen D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schipke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002417:Cattle; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014325:Tromethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: C074097:Krebs-Henseleit solution; D014325:Tromethamine; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D005947:Glucose