BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the most frequently used clinical preservation solution (Euro-Collins, group I) with a newly composed low potassium, glucose- and insulin-containing preservation solution (141 mmol/L sodium, 6.4 mmol/L potassium, 119 mmol/L chloride, 5 mmol/L magnesium, 10 gm/L glucose, 10 gm/L dextrane and 20 U/L insulin) (group II) on postischemic lung function. METHODS We studied 12 isolated New Zealand White rabbit lungs in a closed circuit model during the first 4 hours of reperfusion after 24 hours of ischemic hypothermic storage. RESULTS Oxygenation capacity, defined by the difference between the arterial and venous oxygen tension was significantly higher in group II compared with group I after 10 (58.7 +/- 5.8 versus 34.9 +/- 7.5 mm Hg), 30 (63.5 +/- 7.8 versus 27.3 +/- 10.4 mm Hg) and 180 minutes (77.7 +/- 7.2 versus 8.8 +/- 5.6 mm Hg). Ventilatory pressure was significantly lower in group II after 1 minute (11.3 +/- 1.3 mm Hg versus 13.7 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, p < 0.05), with no significant difference thereafter. No significant difference was found in pulmonary vascular resistance except after 20 minutes (30.8 +/- 1.2 dyns/cm5 [group I] versus 27.1 +/- 1.1 dyns/cm5 [group II], p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that this new solution provides superior lung function after 24 hours ischemic time compared with Euro-Collins solution.