Recent studies have shown the ability of salicylic acid (SA) to trap hydroxyl radicals (OH.) generated during reperfusion in ischemic myocardium. Since OH. is implicated in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury, we examined the effect of SA on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and postischemic ventricular dysfunction. Isolated rat hearts perfused by the Langendorff technique were preperfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing SA for 10 min. Hearts were then made ischemic for 30 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion. In a separate group, SA was administered only at the onset of reperfusion. The left ventricular contractile functions, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and its first derivative (LV dP/dt), coronary flow (CF), and creatine kinase (CK) release were determined before and after ischemia. Epicardial electrocardiogram (ECG) was also recorded to analyze the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). SA improved LVDP, LV dp/dt, and CF recovery and reduced CK release compared to the control group. The incidence of VT and VF during reperfusion was also significantly reduced by SA. Analysis of tissue thiobarbituric acid-reactive products indicates that SA decreased oxidative stress during reperfusion. In conclusion, these results suggest that SA reduces myocardial reperfusion injury and attenuates ventricular arrhythmias by trapping OH. radicals upon reperfusion in isolated rat hearts.