Objective To investigate the effect of edaravone plus beating-heart-preservation as well as beating-heart-transplantation technique on myocardial protection in donation after cardiac death (DCD) heart transplantation.Methods Twenty-four swine (body weight 28 ± 3 kg) were divided into two groups (n =12 each),and another twelve swine were used for blood donor.( 1 ) Experimental group:cardiac arrest was induced by asphyxiation (turning off the ventilation),and then the swine were subjected to 25-min warm ischemia,and cold oxygenated blood was perfused before the harvest of donor heart.Cardiac resuscitation was initiated by the ex vivo perfusion equipment and warm oxygenated blood was reperfused.Edaravone was given before harvesting of donor heart and in the early period of reperfusion.Donor hearts were kept beating throughout preservation and transplantation period.(2) Control group:all animals were treated in the same way except for without the application of edaravone.Hemodynamic,myocardial enzymes,and water content of myocardium were observed,and uhrastructural damage of cardiomyocytes was examined.Results All recipient animals could wean from cardiopulmonary bypass successfully.Left ventricular compliance and left ventricular contractility were significantly better preserved in experiment group than in control group.Though there was no significant difference in myocardial creatase level,the myocardial edema in experimental group was milder than in control group,and myocardial ultrastructure was better preserved in experimental group.Conclusion Heart from DCD,even though experienced 25-min warm ischemia after cardiac arrest by asphyxiation,still could be resuscitated via isolated heart perfusion equipment ( i.e.,beating-heart-preservation ) successfully.Furthermore,beating-hearttransplantation is feasible technically.Edaravone,a free-radical scavenger,could alleviate asphyxiation-induced myocardial injury,and further improve post-transplantation heart function.