We used the left ventricular (LV) end-systolic force-diameter (Fes-Des) relation to evaluate the effect of an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist (bunazosin hydrochloride) on the contractility of the beta-blocked left ventricle. Nine adult mongrel dogs were instrumented with ultrasonic crystals to measure LV diameter and a micromanometer to measure LV pressure. Beta-adrenergic and vagal blockade was induced with intravenous propranolol (2 mg/kg) and atropine (0.2 mg/kg), respectively, and preload was decreased by inferior vena caval occlusion. The slope (Ec) and extrapolated diameter intercept (Do) of the LV Fes-Des relation were derived from end-systolic data obtained in the control state (after beta-blockade) and after bunazosin infusion (1 mg/kg). Ec was used as a new index of LV contractility. After bunazosin infusion, the heart rate and Ec were decreased by 7 and 22%, respectively, in comparison with the control state, whereas Do did not change. These results indicate that alpha1-adrenoceptor blockade significantly reduces myocardial contractility in the beta-blocked canine heart, perhaps by decreasing the intracellular calcium concentration and/or myosin ATPase activity.