SUMMARY The effects of coronary occlusion and of subsequent propranolol and ouabain administration were examined in 12 conscious dogs. Overall left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by measurement of LV pressure and dP/dt, and regional myocardial function was assessed by measurements of segment length (SL), velocity of SL shortening and regional myocardial "work," i.e., pressure-length loops in normal and moderately and severely ischemic zones. Regional intramyocardial electrograms were measured at the same sites as function along with regional myocardial blood flow as determined by the radioactive microsphere technique. Coronary occlusion resulted in graded loss of function from the normal to severely ischemic zones, along with graded flow reductions and PROPRANOLOL HAS BEEN ADVOCATED for therapy in acute ischemic heart disease, since the drug normally reduces cardiac rate and contractility and on this basis should lower myocardial oxygen demands and thereby protect ischemic myocardium.1 However, the myocardial depressant action of propranolol, which is even evident in ischemic myocardium,2 could be deleterious when cardiac function is already compromised. In this situation it would be important to enhance contractility. Therefore, the clinical question remains regarding the effects of a non-beta adrenergic positive inotropic agent, e.g., digitalis, in the presence of myocardial depression induced by ischemia and propranolol.The goal of this investigation was to examine the effects of ouabain in combination with propranolol on simultaneous measurements of regional myocardial function, blood flow, and electrograms in normal, moderately and severely ischemic zones of the heart of the conscious dog with acute myocardial ischemia. The specific goals of this study were to ascertain 1) whether ouabain could reverse the negative inotropic effects of propranolol on the ischemic heart, 2) whether the changes in function were associated with changes in blood flow, and 3) whether digitalis would enhance or Methods Twenty-one dogs, weighing between 25 and 35 kg, were anesthetized with i.v. sodium pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg. Through a thoracotomy in the fifth left intercostal space, Konigsberg P22 miniature pressure gauges were implanted within the left ventricle through a stab wound in the apex, and Doppler ultrasonic flow transducers were placed around either the left anterior descending (13 dogs) or circumflex coronary (8 dogs) arteries, 2-3 cm from the bifurcation of these vessels. Hydraulic occluders were implanted just distal to the flow transducers and heparin-filled Tygon catheters were implanted in the left atrium and aorta. Up to six pairs of miniature ultrasonic transducers* were implanted intramyocardially, parallel to the muscle fibers, 1-2 cm apart and varying in depth from 4 to 15 mm, in potentially normal, and moderately and severely ischemic zones. These zones were confirmed by regional flow determination after sacrifice of the animal.The miniature pressure gauges were calibrated in vitro and in vivo a...