We have developed a method for measuring epicardial deformation in the isolated arrested dog heart. A biplane video system was used to record the motion of discrete epicardial markers at midanterior sites (n = 4 hearts) and midposterior sites (n = 1) during quasi-static left ventricular (LV) filling. Experimental procedures, performed at room temperature, were completed within 20 min, and LV pressure-volume curves were repeatable and within the range of data presented by other authors. To obtain a complete description of local deformation, epicardial displacements derived from the video record were analyzed using homogeneous strain theory. Local epicardial strain was nonuniform; the mean ranges of midanterior major and minor extensions were 0-13.9 and 0-7.2%, respectively, for LV filling pressures of 0-20 mmHg. For the midanterior wall, the mean orientation of the major extension was 28-35 degrees below the LV circumference, compared with an orientation of approximately 62 degrees at the midposterior site. The results demonstrate the value of this preparation for studying passive ventricular mechanics and are not consistent with the predictions of mathematical models of ventricular stress and strain, in which it has been assumed that the material properties of the passive myocardium are isotropic.