Changes in contractility and oxygen metabolism of isolated canine heart following application of urapidil.

Changes of contractility and oxygen metabolism following the administration of urapidil (Ebrantil) are described. Investigations were carried out on isolated, metabolically supported canine hearts. Results show that this drug has a myocardial effect in addition to its known antihypertensive effect. Moreover, a dose-dependent negative inotropism is coupled with a reduction in myocardial oxygen consumption. Urapidil reduces the cardiac metabolic rate, decreases cardiac load due to a reduction in peripheral resistance, and has a negative inotropic action. These properties are usually found only in beta-blockers.