1 The class Ic steroidal antiarrhythmic agent, Org 7797, was compared with two other Ic agents, flecainide and propafenone for intravenous activity against ischaemia-related cardiac arrhythmias and for electrophysiological actions in vivo. In addition the haemodynamic effects of Org 7797 were assessed in greyhounds. 2 Org 7797 (0.5mgkg-1) significantly reduced the expected incidence of early ischaemia-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) in rats and greyhound dogs and at doses of 0.5-1.0mgkg-1 antagonized reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. Comparative studies in rats showed Org 7797 to be 2-4 times more potent than flecainide or propafenone. 3 Org 7797 (0.5mg kg-1) slowed intracardiac conduction in anaesthetized beagles and again was at least 2-4 times more potent than flecainide or propafenone.4 Org 7797 (0.5 and 2.0mgkg-'), flecainide (1.0 and 2.0mgkg 1) or propafenone (0.5 and 2.0mgkg 1), did not significantly prevent induction of tachyarrhythmias (VT) in dogs with 5-6 day old myocardial infarcts although all 3 drugs appeared to prevent induced VF. All 3 drugs (notably fecainide) did however reduce the VT rate.5 All 3 drugs (1-2 mg kg 1) suppressed spontaneous tachyarrhythmias in conscious beagle dogs with 1-2 day old infarcts. Propafenone was the least effective.6 In an antifibrillatory dose (0.5mgkg-'), the major haemodynamic effect of Org 7797 was a 10% increase in peripheral vascular resistance. Stroke volume, cardiac output and coronary blood flow were unchanged. In therapeutic doses, Org 7797 was also less negatively chronotropic than flecainide. 7 It was concluded that Org 7797 is a potent antifibrillatory agent which is haemodynamically well tolerated. Higher doses are required to suppress late ischaemia-induced tachyarrhythmias which suggest that its antifibrillatory effects are the consequence of an action other than, or in addition to, sodium channel block.