The effect of prostacyclin[PGI, ] on myocardial preservation during global ischemia was studied in the isolating working rabbit heart model. Forty hearts underwent a 15 minute period of retrograde nonworking perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution [37*C] and were switched over to the working mode for 15 minutes. After baseline measurement of heart rate, peak aortic pressure, aortic flow, and coronary flow, all hearts were subjected to 60 minutes of ischemic arrest at 10*C induced with St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution: Group I had single dose cardioplegia, Croup II double dose, Croup III oxygenated double dose, and Group IV single dose with PCI, infusion [10ng/min./gm heart weight]. Hearts were then revived with 15 minute period of nonworking reperfusion at normothermia, followed by 30 minutes of working perfusion. Repeat measurements of cardiac function were obtained and expressed as a percent of the preischemic baseline values. Oxygen content of arterial perfusate and coronary effluent was measured by designed time interval. Leakage of creatine kinase was determined during post-ischemic reperfusion period. Finally wet hearts were weighed and placed in 120*C oven for 36 hours for measurement of dry weight. In the PGI, treated group [IV], heart rate increased consistently throughout the period of reperfusion from 100*5.0% [p<0.001] to 107*6.2% [p<0.001]. The percent recovery of aortic flow showed 95*5.7% [p<0.001] at the first 3 minute and full recovery through the subsequent time. Coronary flow was augmented significantly in the 3 minute [96*6.2%, p<0.001] and then sustained above baseline values. Among the Croup I, II, and III, all hemodynamic values were significantly below preischemic levels. PGI2 relatively increased oxygen delivery [1.22*0.19ml/min, p<0.001] and myocardial oxygen consumption [0.90*0.13ml/min, p<0.001] during reperfusion period. Leakage of creatine kinase in the PGI2 group was 9.3*1.58IU/15min [p<0.001]. This was significantly lower than Group I [33.0*2.68 IU/15min]. The water content of PCI2 treated hearts [81*0.9%, p<0.001] was also lower than the other groups.