The effects of CD-832 (4R-(-)-2-(nicotinoylamino)ethyl-3-nitroxypropyl-1,4-dihydro -2,6-dimethyl-4,3-nitrophenyl, 3,5-pyridine dicarboxylate) , a novel dihydropyridine derivative, on guinea-pig isolated myocardial preparations have been compared with those of Ca2+-channel antagonists. All ten compounds induced concentration-dependent negative chronotropic effects on preparations of isolated right atria and negative inotropic effects on isolated right ventricular papillary muscles. The order of potency for the negative chronotropic effect was CD-832 > nicardipine = gallopamil > clentiazem > nifedipine = efonidipine > amlodipine = semotiadil > verapamil > diltiazem; that for the negative inotropic effect was nicardipine = gallopamil > nifedipine > verapamil > CD-832 > diltiazem > clentiazem > efonidipine = semotiadil > amlodipine. The ratio of the EC50 (the concentration of Ca2+ antagonist having 50% of the maximum effect) for the negative inotropic effect divided by the EC50 for the negative chronotropic effect, considered to be an index of selectivity for negative chronotropic effect, was higher for CD-832, amlodipine, efonidipine and semotiadil than for the other Ca2+ antagonists. The ratio for CD-832, nifedipine, nicardipine, efonidipine, amlodipine, verapamil, gallopamil, diltiazem, clentiazem and semotiadil was 11.4, 0.29, 0.87, 35.4, 37.1, 0.65, 0.87, 0.92, 7.11 and 30.0, respectively. These findings indicate that CD-832 and the newly developed Ca2+ antagonists including amlodipine, efonidipine, semotiadil and clentiazem were selective for a negative chronotropic effect rather than for a negative inotropic effect. This 'chrono-selective' effect of these drugs might be of benefit in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.