Effects of oral equiblocking doses of a cardioselective and noncardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent on left ventricular function in the normal conscious dog.

The effects of propranolol, a noncardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent, and practolol, a cardioselective agent, on left ventricular function were compared in an awake dog model at an equiblocking dose range. Both agents produced modest depression of inotropic state at rest, and during volume and phenylephrine loading. No significant differences between the two agents were detected.