The potential for enhancing myocardial protection by adding high-energy phosphate to cardioplegic solutions [St. Thomas Hospital solution] was investigated in a rat heart model of cardiopulmonary bypass and ischemic arrest. Creatine phosphate was evaluated as an additive to the St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution. Creatine phosphate 10.0 mmol/L as the optimal concentration which improved recovery of aortic flow and cardiac output after a 30 minute period of normothermic [37oC] ischemic arrest. In comparing mechanical function in both groups the mean postischemic recoveries of aortic flow, cardiac output, stroke volume and stroke work [expressed as a percentage of its preischemic control] were significantly greater in STH-CP group than in CP- free control group. In addition to improving function and decreasing CK release, CP reduced reperfusion arrhythmias significantly decreasing the time between cross-clamp removal and return to regular rhythm from 81.8 * 13.9 [sec] in CP-free group to 35.9 * 6.8 [sec] in CP group [P< 0.05] so, exogenous CP exerts potent protective and antiarrhythmic effects when added to the St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution. However, the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated.