Currently numerous methods are in use for myocardial hypothermia as a myocardial preservation modality for cardiac operation. During cardiac ischemia after crystalloid cardioplegia[4C GIK solution], topical cold saline[Group I, a=9], topical ice slush[Group II, n=9] and topical ice chip[Group III, a=10] have been compared for myocardial surface cooling in the isolated rat heart model of cardiopulmonary bypass. During postischemic period, hemodynamic functions[aortic flow, coronary flow, peak aortic pressure and heart rate], biochemical enzymatic activities and cellular injuries with electron microscope were evaluated in this isolated rat heart perfusion model. Postischemic aortic flow, cardiac output and peak aortic pressure in Group I and Group II recovered better than Group III.[p< 0.05] Postischemic creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase leakages in Group II and Group III increased more than Group l and postischemic mitochondrial swelling in Group III was more severe than Group I, and Group II.[p< 0.05] These results suggest that topical cold saline was the better method than topical ice slush or topical ice chip as a myocardial preservation modality in the isolated rat heart model of cardiopulmonary bypass.