The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficiency of small and standard volumes (1.5-20 and 7-10 ml/g of the myocardium, respectively) of Custodiol solution in myocardial ischemia lasting 2 and 4 hours. Experiments were carried out on 24 mongrel dogs weighing 22-36 kg under extracorporeal circulation (EC) with bicaval cannulation under moderate general hypothermia and balanced general intravenous anesthesia. According to the solution volume and cardioplegia (CP) duration, all the animals were divided into 4 groups: 1) 2-hour CP (standard volume); 2) 2-hour CP (small volume); 3) 4-hour CP (standard volume); 4) 4-hour CP (small volume); of them Groups 1 and 3 served as a control. Antegrade CP was accomplished by the conventional procedure. In Groups 1 and 3, the volume of Custodiol solution was 1000-2000 ml; in Groups 2 and 4, that was 300-600 ml depending on myocardial mass. In Groups 1 and 3, the mean duration of myocardial perfusion was 9.8+/-2.8 and 8.4+/-1.4 min, respectively; and in Groups 2 and 4, that was 4.2+/-0.7 and 4.5+/-1.4 min. Groups 3 and 4 animals received additional myocardial perfusion with Custodiol solution in a volume of 400-500 and 200-250 ml, respectively. The efficiency of myocardial protection was evaluated from the course of a reperfusion period (RP) and from central hemodynamic changes, the concentrations of glucose, lactate, malonic dialdehyde, medium-weight molecules, and blood gas and electrolyte composition of the coronary sinus. The studies were performed in stages: outcome, launch of blood flow (5-10 in); RP (30 min); complete loading (30 min); disconnection from an extracorporeal circulation apparatus. The experiment has indicated that the use of Custodiol solution in the standard volumes ensures an effective cardioplegic protection within 4 hours. Reductions in the volume and time of perfusion to the values characteristic of extracellular-type solutions cause a lower efficiency of this protection. Moreover, myocardial damage progresses as the duration of CP increases. The used Custodiol solution dose of 1.5-2.0 ml/g of the myocardium is apparent to be insufficient to set an ionic balance between cardioplegic solution and intracellular fluid, which reduces the duration of CP effect and the efficiency of myocardial protection. It may be assumed that lower perfusion volume lowers the efficiency of the buffer system of the solution and the metabolic effects of substrates. The authors consider that the decreased volume and time of perfusion of intracellular Custodial solution are unjustified and may result in the development of complications associated with inadequate cardioplegic myocardial protection.