An enzymatic method for isolating cardiac myocytes from heart of guinea-pig used for single-cell and patch-clamp studies

Abstract

A method for isolating cardiac myocytes from the heart of guinea-pig is described. This method consists of perfusion of the heart with a low Ca{2+} medium and subsequent dispersion of cells with collagenase and proteolytic enzyme. More than 80% rod-shoped, viable and quiescent cells which are suitable for electrophysiological and pharmacological experiments are obtained by this method.