Acute ischaemic heart failure was induced in 13 dogs by coronary embolisation. Severe dysfunction of the left ventricular (LV) performance was shown by a significant increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and significant decreases in maximum rate of LV pressure rise (LVdP/dtmax), stroke volume and cardiac output. 300 IU of fast-acting insulin was injected as a bolus dose in 7 dogs 90 min after the embolisation procedure. This was followed by infusion of glucose and potassium to maintain normal blood levels. After 15 min, insulin had significantly improved the performance of the failing left ventricle. Total peripheral resistance was decreased. Myocardial blood flow was significantly increased while myocardial oxygen consumption was unchanged. After beta receptor blockade with propranolol 0.5 mg kg-1 given intravenously, the improvement in cardiac performance was reduced, heart rate decreased, and a concomitant decrease in myocardial blood flow and oxygen consumption was recorded. Compared with values before treatment, the net effect of combined insulin and beta receptor blockade was unchanged LVdP/dtmax, LV end-diastolic pressure and cardiac output, significantly increased stroke volume and decreased heart rate, and moderately reduced total peripheral resistance and mean aortic blood pressure. Myocardial blood flow was unaltered, while myocardial oxygen consumption was significantly reduced. In the control group of 6 dogs propranolol was given before insulin, and similar haemodynamic alterations were found.