The acute and chronic effects of a potent selective dopamine beta-hydroxylase inhibitor, SK&F 102698, were assessed in chronically instrumented 1-kidney, 1-clip Goldblatt hypertensive dogs. Blood pressure measured directly from either a carotid loop or from a vascular access port and cardiac output measured by impedence cardiography were monitored following acute (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and chronic (30 mg/kg/day for 4 days) administration of SK&F 102698. The data indicate that SK&F 102698 failed to alter blood pressure, cardiac output or total peripheral resistance after either acute or chronic administration. It is concluded that dopamine beta-hydroxylase inhibition with SK&F 102698 is not an effective antihypertensive agent in the 1-kidney, 1-clip Goldblatt hypertensive dog model.