In experimental models, the characteristics of beta-adrenoceptors in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) due to pressure overload remain controversial and no data are still available in man. We investigated right auricular (RA) and left ventricular (LV) beta-adrenoceptors characteristics (125 I cyanopindolol binding) in two groups of patients undergoing valve replacement without heart failure (LV ejection fraction > 55%). Height patients with mitral stenosis (mean age: 64 +/- 4 years) and without LVH (LV mass index < 120 g/m2) constituted the control group and 13 patients with aortic stenosis (mean age: 66 +/- 4 years) and LVH (LV mass index > 150 g/m2) the study group. The results are: [table: see text] These results show that, in man, LVH due to pressure overload does not induce variation of total number beta-adrenoceptors, but is associated with a selective decrease in left ventricular beta 1-adrenoceptors.