This study was experimentally undertaken to evaluate the effect of the coronary vasodilator-mixed cardioplegic solution on myocardial protection during prolonged aortic cross-clamping. The dogs were divided into two groups: control group A[received hypothermic cardioplegic solution without any additive coronary vasodilator], and comparing group 8[received hypothermic cardioplegic solution, mixed with various coronary vasodilators and Inderal]. Group A further was divided into two subgroups: subgroup A-1[ischemic time, 90 minutes], and subgroup A-2 [ischemic time, 240 minutes]. Group B further was divided into five subgroups: subgroup B-1 [received papaverine mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solution], subgroup B-2[received nitroglycerin mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solution], subgroup B-3 [received nitroprusside mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solution, subgroup B-4[received hydralazine mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solution], and subgroup B-5 [received inderal mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solution]. The specimens from all of the subgroups were studied by electron microscopic examination. The specimens of subgroups [B-l, B-2 8-3, and B-4], received coronary vasodilators mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solutions, were also compared by methylene blue induced staining of the myocardium and coronary vessels. The results obtained were as followings: l. On electron microscopic examination, all of the specimens, including subgroup A-2, showed no irreversible change of the myocardium. But the best result was obtained from the subgroup B-l, treated by papaverine mixed hypothermic cardioplegic solution. The subgroup B-2, treated by nitroglycerin, was next. And the subgroup B-5, treated by Inderal, was agreeable, comparing the electron microscopic finding with control group in the effect of myocardial protection. 2. The distribution in the myocardium of cardioplegic solution was demonstrated with the aid of methylene blue staining in the subgroups of B-l, B-2, B-3, and B-4, and they were the groups treated by papaverine, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, and hydralazine in their grouping order. The best result was obtained from the subgroup B-1 [papaverine]. The subgroup B-2 [nitroglycerin] was next. The subgroup B-3 [nitroprusside] was moderate in finding of the colorization. The subgroup B-4 [hydralazine] was the poorest in the distribution of the cardioplegic solution in the myocardium. From these results, it appeared that myocardial protection during ischemic arrest for open heart surgery could be enhanced considerably when coronary dilatation was assured.