Continuous hypothermic perfusion is an effective means of preserving ex vivo cardiac allografts. Using canine hearts, we assessed the ability of the high-energy phosphate precursors adenosine and adenosine monophosphate to enhance the protective effect of continuous hypothermic perfusion. Group 1 hearts (controls) were perfused for 24 hours with a modified Krebs-Henseleit solution. Group 2 hearts were perfused with control perfusate to which adenosine was added (20 mumol/L). Group 3 hearts were perfused with control perfusate with adenosine monophosphate (0.1 mmol/L). After perfusion heart weights increased similarly in all groups. Coronary vascular resistance increased during the preservation period in group 1 hearts, but decreased in groups 2 and 3 hearts. Developed pressures were 103 +/- 22 mm Hg in group 1, 163 +/- 27 mm Hg in group 2 (p less than 0.01), and 141 +/- 34 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) in group 3. The rate of pressure development in group 2 (2143 +/- 249 mm Hg) and group 3 (2059 +/- 395 mm Hg) hearts was significantly greater than in group 1 hearts (1434 +/- 363 mm Hg, p less than 0.01). Only group 3 myocardial adenosine triphosphate levels were significantly greater than controls (3.18 +/- 0.52 mumol/gm vs 2.12 +/- 0.74 mumol/gm, p less than 0.05) on completion of perfusion. Myocardial lactate levels at this time were significantly higher in group 1 hearts (7.48 +/- 3.96 mumol/gm) compared with groups 2 and 3 (0.34 +/- 0.58 mumol/gm and 1.50 +/- 0.91 mumol/gm, respectively, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)