Effects of celiprolol in anesthetized dogs with reduced myocardial function

Celiprolol HCl is a new cardioselective beta adrenoceptor antagonist with both mild propranolol-sensitive partial agonist activity and propranolol-insensitive cardiostimulatory properties. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the significance of this unique pharmacological profile in a study of the effects of celiprolol in anesthetized dogs with depressed myocardial function. Dogs were acutely instrumented to directly monitor myocardial contractile force (CF), arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), and ECG limb lead II. Mecamylamine 1 mg/kg i.v., and verapamil, 0.5 mg/kg i.v., reduced CF (80 +/- 6 g), HR (76 +/- 4 beats/min), and AP (59 +/- 8 mm Hg). Celiprolol (3 mg/kg i.v.) did not produce any further decrement in myocardial function. There were no appreciable ECG changes. These data suggest that celiprolol may be the drug of choice in patients receiving verapamil, since it should not further compromise myocardial function.