Circulatory effects of tazolol in experimental myocardial infarction

The hemodynamic effects of tazolol, a new long-acting beta-stimulating drug, were studied in dogs with acute pump failure caused by experimental myocardial infarction and the results were compared with the actions of isoproterenol given in small and large doses. Tazolol produced a significant and sustained increase in cardiac output and stroke volume, while causing a decrease in peripheral resistance and mean aortic pressure. Heart rate was only modestly increased. Compared with isoproterenol at equivalent doses. tazolol appeared to cause less S-T segment elevation at the margin of infarction. The increase in double product (systolic pressure X heart rate) produced by tazolol was also considerably less than that of isoproterenol. Tazolol may prove to be a useful addition to the drugs available for the treatment of myocardial failure of various causes. It is now being studied in patients with heart failure due to coronary artery disease.