Intracellular acidosis may depress myocardial function and metabolism during ischemia. In the present study, the function and metabolism of a globally ischemic, isovolumic cat left ventricle preparation, perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Ringer biocarbonate solution, was examined. Addition of tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (Tris) (15 mM) to the perfusate at physiologic pH and PCO2 increased performance during ischemia to a greater extent and for a longer period than low PCO2 )15 mmHg), alkalotic (pH, 7.8) perfusate and a control sucrose perfusate. Under nonischemic conditions the inotropic effect of Tris was only briefly greater than sucrose perfusate. The inotropic effect of Tris during ischemia did not appear to depend on changes in coronary flow, oxygen consumption, sodium concentration, perfusate osmolality, or catecholamine release. During ischemia, lactate production was unchanged with Tris, but increased with low PCO2-alkalosis. Tissue levels of ATP and creatine phosphate for control ischemic hearts did not differ from Tris-perfused or low PCO2-alkalosis hearts. Thus, Tris appears to exert an inotropic effect that is more prominent in ischemic than nonischemic myocardium. The results are consistent with the possibility that Tris acts as an intracellular buffer to increase the efficiency of energy production and/or utilization during ischemia.