Cryopreservation of human heart cells.

Single cells were isolated from human heart specimens and preserved at -56 degrees C in a cryoprotecting solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide. The cells were reanimated by rapid thawing and the properties of the cells were evaluated in a physiological solution. The reanimated cells showed morphological and physiological properties similar to those seen in normal, freshly isolated cells. These results demonstrate the feasibility of storing human heart cells for long-term studies.