An automatic device for the isolated rabbit heart preparation for testing cardioactive drugs

Abstract

An automatic device for the isolated rabbit heart is described. Test solutions are perfused from reservoirs via valves, the sequence and time of opening of which is controlled by a programmable unit. The perfusate was pushed through the heart at a constant flow-rate, with pressure measurement serving as an indicator of preparation stability. The system worked well giving reproducible results without tedious, repetitive manual work. The results obtained with caffeine were in line with those reported in the literature, there being a dose-dependent increase in rate and force of contraction.