Sonomicrometry was used in 10 conscious dogs to measure regional segment length and dynamic wall thickness by telemetry in a zone supplied by the left circumflex coronary artery after implantation of an ameroid constrictor. When coronary obstruction was nearly complete and collaterals had developed (24-42 days), control exercise and exercise runs after oral isosorbide dinitrate were carried out. During control runs, significant increases occurred in hemodynamic parameters, and percent shortening in normal segments increased (P < 0.01). During the repeat runs after isosorbide dinitrate, there were smaller increases in left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures and significantly reduced end-diastolic dimensions. In addition, percent wall thickening and percent segment shortening in the ischemic zone did not deteriorate significantly during exercise. In this animal model, which appears to mimic chronic single-vessel coronary heart disease, isosorbide dinitrate can prevent exercise-induced deterioration of regional myocardial function.