The cardiovascular effects of 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-5-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)-3-pyridine carbonitrile hydrochloride monohydrate (E-1020), a new nonglycoside, noncatechol cardiotonic agent, were investigated in dogs. In anesthetized dogs, E-1020 (10-100 micrograms/kg i.v.) dose-relatedly increased cardiac contractility (LV dP/dtmax), enhanced cardiac index and decreased systemic vascular resistance accompanying relatively small reduction in mean aortic pressure and a mild increase in heart rate. Coronary and femoral arterial blood flow were increased by either systemic intravenous or topical administration of E-1020. The degree of increase in myocardial oxygen consumption was only slight (10% at 30 micrograms/kg i.v.). The inotropic effect of E-1020 was not markedly affected by pretreatment with beta-adrenoceptor blockade, reserpine or other cardiotonic agents such as dobutamine or ouabain. In two experimental heart failure models induced by an excessive dose of propranolol or by coronary occlusion following volume-loading, E-1020 (30 micrograms/kg i.v.) rapidly reversed the cardiac depression. In chronically instrumented conscious dogs, E-1020 (30-100 micrograms/kg i.v. or 0.3-10 mg/kg p.o.) produced dose-dependent increases in LV dP/dtmax with minor increases in heart rate. E-1020 did not exacerbate arrhythmias of several experimental models in anesthetized dogs even at high dose of 100 micrograms/kg i.v. These results indicate that E-1020 is an intravenously and orally effective cardiotonic agent with vasodilating property, and that it may be beneficial in the treatment of acute and chronic congestive heart failure.