The effect of low-dose (15 ml/kg) intracoronary perfluorochemical (Fluosol-DA) on infarct size, regional myocardial blood flow, and ventricular function was studied in 20 anesthetized closed-chest dogs subjected to 11/2 hr of proximal left anterior descending occlusion. In this preparation reperfusion was simulated with fibrinolytic therapy. The animals were randomly assigned one of two treatment groups and given 15 ml/kg of either oxygenated intracoronary perfluorochemical (n = 9) or saline (n = 11). Contrast ventriculograms were obtained at baseline, 1 hr after occlusion, and at 24 hr after reperfusion and were analyzed with a radial fractional shortening method. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured with radioactive microspheres. At 24 hr the area at risk was defined in vivo with monastryl blue staining and the area of necrosis was estimated after incubation of left ventricular slices with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. No significant changes were noted in heart rate, blood pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, or dP/dt during the experimental protocol. Infarct size was significantly reduced (p less than .02) in the perfluorochemical-treated group, both when expressed as a percentage of the total left ventricular mass (7.9 +/- 1.7% vs 14.7 +/- 2.5%) and as a percentage of the area at risk (20.1 +/- 5.0% vs 46.8 +/- 8.5%). This was associated with significant improvement in fractional shortening in the jeopardized zone at 24 hr after reperfusion. Although endocardial blood flow was significantly greater in the central ischemic zone and lateral region at risk immediately after reperfusion in the perfluorochemical-treated group, no difference was found 1 hr after reperfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)