Oxygen Delivery and Performance in the Isolated, Perfused Rat Heart: Comparison of Perfusion with Aqueous and Perfluorocarbon-Containing Media

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Abstract
The isolated, Langendorff-perfused rat heart is used extensively in biomedical investigation. This preparation is generally perfused with aqueous buffers oxygenated with high-oxygen gas mixtures. In spite of high pO2, because of the poor solubility of oxygen in water, the oxygen content of such perfusates is quite low: generally not exceeding 1.5 ml/dl. Adequate oxygen delivery to the the myocytes can only be maintained under these conditions by nearly maximal coronary vasodilation.