Effects of inosine on left ventricular contractile force, circumflex blood flow, heart rate, and arterial pressure were investigated in mongrel dogs. Infusion of 50 ml of 10, 25, or 50 mM inosine into the right atrium over 5 min produced arterial blood inosine concentrations of 20-120 microM. Infusion of inosine concentrations of 10 mM or greater produced statistically significant increases in contractile force and circumflex blood flow (P less than 0.05). The increases in contractile force and circumflex blood flow caused by 50 inosine were approximately 40% and 110%, respectively. No statistically significant increases in heart rate or arterial pressure were observed during infusion of inosine at any concentration. Administration of propranolol (2 mg/kg) in no way altered the effects of inosine on contractile force or circumflex blood flow. Thus, the present study suggests that inosine in concentrations which may be produced in the myocardium during stressful conditions causes a substantial effect on the inotropic state of the heart and that the effects of inosine are not mediated through adrenergic mechanisms.