Actions of Prenalterol, a New Cardioselective β1‐Agonist, Terbutaline and Isoprenaline on Electrophysiological and Mechanical Parameters of Guinea Pig Atrial and Papillary Muscles

: The electrophysiological and mechanical effects of prenalterol on the isolated guinea pig atrial trabeculae and papillary muscles were compared with those of terbutaline and isoprenaline. Isoprenaline was the most potent of the drugs tested on all parameters studied. Prenalterol, on the other hand, failed to induce any changes in the atrial action potentials. The action potential duration was shortened in the atrial trabeculae by terbutaline and isoprenaline. All three substances shortened the action potential in the papillary muscles. In addition, isoprenaline increased the plateau height, and like terbutaline, increased the rate of repolarization during phase 3. Neither prenalterol nor terbutaline changed the effective refractory period in the atrial trabeculae whereas isoprenaline shortened it. All three substances shortened this parameter in the papillary muscles. The developed force and the rate of developed force were increased by all three substances. In addition. the total twitch duration was decreased.