Langendorff Retrograde Heart Perfusion: An Ex Vivo Technique to Perfuse Isolated Mouse Heart

In This Article

Abstract

Source: Wu, K. et al. Modifications of the Langendorff Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes from Adult Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (2021)

In this video, we perform Langendorff retrograde perfusion of an isolated mouse heart. During the procedure, the cardiac activity of the heart is maintained by perfusing it retrogradely with a perfusion solution via the coronary arteries using a cannula inserted into the ascending aorta. The model is used to study the cardiac pathophysiology of the heart.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Solution and Perfusion Apparatus Preparation

Assemble a constant flow Langendorff apparatus (commercially available or self-made). Figure 1 provides a simple schematic.
Prepare the solutions according to the reagents given in Table 1 and Table 2.
Turn on the circulating water bath and adjust a suitable input temperature (42.7 °C in our laboratory) to ensure that the perfusate circulation syst....

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Results

Langendorff heart perfusion schematic, diagram detailing water bath, peristaltic pump, heat exchanger.
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of an assembled modified Langendorff system. This system is economical and portable for the users. It has two parts of plastic tubing-one for the water (inner diameter, 8 mm) and one for the perfusate (inner.......