Effects of ischemia on function and metabolism of the isolated wcrking rut heart. Am. J. Physiol. 225(3): 651-658. 1973.-Two techniques have been developed for inducing whole-heart ischemia in the isulated working rat heart, These procedures allowed total coronary Aow to be reduced in hearts that were performing external mechanical work. Reducing the rate of coronary flow resulted in myocardial ischemia as indicated by reduced oxygen delivery and consumption, increased production, and tissue accumulation of lactate, and ventricular failure. A 50y0 reduction in coronary flow resulted in ventricular failure within 8 min. Metabolism