Isolated working guinea pig hearts, perfused with glucose fortified Krebs-Henseleit, were subjected to 60 min global low flow ischaemia followed by 30 min reperfusion. Left ventricular performance was assessed from heart rate-developed pressure product and pressure-volume work. Cytosolic energy level was indexed by creatine phosphate and ATP phosphorylation potentials measured in snap frozen myocardium. Lactate and purine nucleosides (adenosine, inosine) were measured in venous effluent.