The ex vivo nature of an isolatedHEART study gives researchers complete environmental control (i.e. temperature, pressure, flow, perfusate, etc.) while removing the normal homeostatic regulation.
This system provides nutrients and oxygen to the organ after its removal from the animal. It allows for the addition of drugs (via the perfusate) and observation of their effect on the organ without the complications involved with in vivo experimentation, such as neuronal and hormonal effects from living animal.
Additionally, the researcher can control many parameters such as perfusate composition, pressure, flow, and oxygenation to create various conditions (i.e. anoxia, hypoxia, hypo/hypertensive). Obtained measurements are highly reproducible and easy to analyze.