LANGENDORFF HEART PREPARATION - REAPPRAISAL OF ITS ROLE AS A RESEARCH AND TEACHING MODEL FOR CORONARY VASOACTIVE DRUGS

The historical development and improvement of the Langendorff isolated perfused heart is traced with particular emphasis on its use for recording coronary vascular responses to drugs. A range of coronary vasoactive drugs are examined on a modified sensitive preparation. These drugs-catecholamines, 5-HT, histamine, acetylcholine, bradykinin, vasopressin, angiotensin, papaverine, sodium nitrite, and aminophylline-exhibited classical responses that compare favorably with those reported in the literature and with the in vivo responses. The actions of these drugs are reviewed and the advantages and limitations of the preparation as a teaching and research model are discussed. © 1979.