An anaphylactic reaction in the isolated perfused heart is characterized by a drastic coronary constriction, arrhythmias, and an impairment of contractility. In vivo anaphylaxis is associated with respiratory distress and cardiovascular failure. The present investigation was designed to ascertain the electrocardiographic and cardiovascular changes during systemic hypersensitivity reactions. In addition, an attempt was made to differentiate cardiac from respiratory events. In guinea pigs, sensitization was produced by s.c. administration of ovalbumin together with Freund's adjuvant solution. Fourteen days after sensitization, the effects of an i.v. infusion of ovalbumin were tested in the anesthetized guinea pigs, which were ventilated with room air or 100% oxygen. A second administration of the antigen induced the development of cardiovascular collapse, leading to death within 12 min. Within 3 min, cardiac output decreased by 90% and end-diastolic left ventricular pressure increased significantly, indicating left ventricular pump failure. In the same time range, ECG recordings uniformly showed signs of acute myocardial ischemia. In addition, arrhythmias occurred in the form of atrioventricular block. Left ventricular contractility declined continuously within the first 4 min. Finally, after 4 min, blood pressure steadily decreased. During ventilation with room air, severe hypoxia developed, with arterial PO₂ decreasing from 94 mm Hg to 14 mmHg after 3 min. However, under ventilation with 100% oxygen, a dissociation between cardiac damage and respiratory distress occurred. Myocardial ischemia and signs of cardiac failure preceded the development of hypoxia by a significant time interval. It is to be concluded that cardiac damage is a primary event in anaphylactic shock. Furthermore, the electrocardiographic signs of ischemia are interpreted as a result of coronary artery spasm.