Abstract: Methods for minimizing ischemic damage and/or reperfusion injury to heart tissue during cardiac surgery where the heart is removed from the body and then re-implanted into the same body, as well as cardiac transplantation, where the heart is removed from one body and transplanted into another body, are disclosed. Prior to removing the heart from the body, adenosine or adenosine A1 or A3 receptor agonists can be administered to the patient in a manner which provides cardioprotection to the heart. When the heart is removed from the body, it can be stored in a cardioplegic solution which contains adenosine, hypoxanthine and/or adenosine A1 or A3 receptor agonists. After the heart is reimplanted or transplanted, reperfusion injury can be minimized by administering adenosine or adenosine A2 receptor agonists to the patient in a manner which minimizes reperfusion injury. Preferably, all three steps are taken in order to minimize the amount of ischemic damage and reperfusion injury to the heart.