In order to study the metabolic consequences of myocardial stunning, repeated coronary occlusions were performed in dogs. The production of CO2, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), and inorganic phosphate (P¡) by myocardial cells was assessed, along with extracellular and intracellular pH. Our results indicate that regional coronary artery occlusion reduces the ability of the myocardium to produce H + and C0 2 and to replenish ATP post ischemia. These alterations, then, represent the hallmark of metabolic viability during periods of ischémie insult. Decreases in PCr and Pi were completely eliminated during reper fusion and, therefore, are not reflective of myocardial stunning. When normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is instituted and the coronary artery is occluded three times with reperfusion between each occlusion, alterations in myocardial H + and high energy phosphates are identical to those observed using only repetitive coronary occlusion. Systemic hypothermia during CPB does not protect against myocardial stunning; however, it is anticipated that inter ventions that prevent the reduction in H + and ATP levels may overcome the effects of myocardial stunning that occur during cardiac surgery. (J Card Surg 1993;8[Suppl]:262-270) Transient occlusion of a coronary artery elicits an ischémie insult resulting in contractile dys function in the myocardial segment subtended by that artery. The magnitude and reversibility of this dysfunction are determined primarily by the duration of the ischémie insult. A coronary oc clusion of less than 20 minutes duration results in prolonged regional dysfunction that, though reversible, is not promptly reversed after release of the occlusion. This prolonged but reversible regional contractile dysfunction following a brief coronary occlusion was first described by Heyndrickx et al. in 1975. . termed "myocardial stunning" by Braunwald and Kloner. 2 Because of its clinical implications, particularly in the course of revascularization by thrombolysis and angioplasty, this phenomenon has gained considerable attention among ex perimental and clinical researchers since it was first spotlighted by Braunwald and Kloner a decade ago.Brief periods of regional ischemia are often en countered in the course of cardiac surgery despite a compendium of maneuvers and techni ques devised to protect the heart against the in sults of global ischemia and reperfusion during and following the period of aortic clamping. The presence of severe coronary artery disease (and/or left ventricular hypertrophy), coupled with the heterogeneity of the distribution (and, at times, the questionable efficacy) of cardioplegic solutions, results in myocardial segments that