Heart Function

Heart function is the coordinated activity that enables the heart to circulate blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing carbon dioxide and metabolic waste. Electrical impulses generated by the sinoatrial node spread through the atria and ventricles, triggering cardiac muscle contraction, while valves open and close in response to pressure changes to maintain one-way flow. In biology, studying the cardiac cycle, heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output helps explain how the cardiovascular system supports homeostasis. This knowledge also informs research into cardiovascular disease, diagnostic testing, pharmacology, and treatments that restore effective circulation.

Heart Function - Related Videos

Research

JoVE EoE - Large Animal Models

Ex Situ Heart Perfusion: A Technique to Preserve Isolated Porcine Heart Function

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2025

This video describes an ex situ technique for preserving an isolated porcine heart by perfusing it with an oxygenated nutrient-rich perfusate solution. The technique allows the comprehensive evaluation of cardiac performance under physiological conditions.

Viral Gene Delivery in the Mouse Heart for Evaluating Gene Effects on Heart Function

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2026

Source: Lu, A., et al. Viral Transgene Expression in Rodent Hearts and the Assessment of Cardiac Arrhythmia Risk. J. Vis. Exp. (2022)The video demonstrates a method for ultrasound-guided intramyocardial injection of a recombinant viral vector in a mouse model. This technique enables targeted gene delivery to the heart for studying the effects of transgene expression on cardiac function.

Research

JoVE Journal - Medicine
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Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR

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Cited by 34 •

2013

This article describes procedures for implanting a novel hydrogel in failing hearts and quantifying its effect on left ventricular wall stress and function. These procedures have been successfully applied in dogs and humans.

Research

JoVE Journal - Biology
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Monitoring Heart Function in Larval Drosophila melanogaster for Physiological Studies

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Cited by 47 •

2009

We present various ways to monitor heart function in the larva of Drosophila for assessing questions dealing with the function of gap junctions, ion channel mutations, modulation of pacemaker activity and pharmacological studies.

Research

JoVE Journal - Medicine
Free Sample

Assessment of Cardiac Function and Energetics in Isolated Mouse Hearts Using 31P NMR Spectroscopy

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Cited by 36 •

2010

Langendorff-mode isolated heart perfusion, in conjunction with 31P NMR spectroscopy, combines the fields of biochemistry and physiology into one experiment. The protocol allows for the dynamic measurement of high energy phosphate content and turnover in the heart while concurrently monitoring physiologic function. When performed correctly, this is a valuable technique in the assessment of cardiac energetics.

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