Objective: To develop an isolated working heart model with parabiotic circulation in swine and to verify its stability and possibility for allowing effective measurements of hemodynamic and metabolic data. Methods: This model was developed during an association study of cardiolegia agents. Eighteen experiments were performed, each with a support animal and a donor animal. Donor animal heart was perfused as isolated working heart with parabiotic circulation from the support animal. The isolated

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... eart underwent regional ischemia by interventricular artery clamping, followed by global ischemia. During reperfusion in a isolated heart in working state at 30, 60, and 90 minutes, contractility indices such as elastance, preload recruitable stroke work index, and metabolic data were acquired. Results: Support animals were kept stable throughout the procedures without use of blood transfusions or vasoactive drugs. Variables such as pH, oxygen partial pressure and hematocrit were kept stable and within physiologic ranges. The isolated heart was perfused adequately throughout the experiment. All hemodynamic and metabolic data proposed were adequately measured in the isolated heart in working state. Conclusion: This isolated swine "working heart" model was kept stable throughout the experiments with no administration of vasoactive drugs, and it allowed adequate measurements of metabolic and hemodynamic data. Descriptors : Heart/surgery. Models, animal. Swine. Cardioplegic solutions. Cardiac surgical procedures. Myocardial reperfusion/methods. SILVEIRA FILHO, LM ET AL -Development of isolated swine "working heart model" with parabiotic circulation Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc 2008; 23(1): 14-22 SILVEIRA FILHO, LM ET AL -Development of isolated swine "working heart model" with parabiotic circulation Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc 2008; 23(1): 14-22