The effect of ischemia on synthesis of myocardial proteins was investigated using a model of perfusion in which low levels of coronary flow were provided to paced hearts worked against a closed aortic outflow tract. These conditions rapidly produced ischemia and ventricular failure, as evidence by reduced coronary flow, increased left atrial pressure, and decreased pressure development. Protein synthesis was inhibited in a subsequent 1-hour period, during which a minimal coronary flow was maintained by retrograde perfusion. ATP, GTP, and creatinine phosphate were depleted in ischemic hearts and AMP accumulated. Production and accumulation of lactate within the tissue increased, whereas palmitate uptake was inhibited. The inhibition of protein synthesis was not associated with reduced levels of intracellular amino acids. During ischemia, decreased levels of ribosomal subunits as compared to paced or unpaced aerobic hearts suggested that peptide chain elongation was slow relative to initiation. Provision of insulin further reduced subunit levels but did not increase protein synthesis, suggesting that the hormone did not prevent inhibition of peptide chain elongation in energy-poor hearts.