The present invention is directed to preservation solutions for storing and perfusing a heart intended for transplantation to a patient requiring such implant. It was found that when cyclosporin is added to the preservation solution for to: (1) preserve the mitochondrial function which it does by maintaining adenosine triphosphate ("ATP") levels, and (2) to block apoptosis and prevent programmed cell death. Therefore, the preservation of the mitochondrial function prevents necrosis while blocking prevents apoptosis.