A series of isoquinolin-3-ol derivatives (II) was prepared as analogues of the clinical cardiotonic agent bemarinone (ORF 16600, I). Although in many respects the structural requirements for the cardiotonic activity of II are similar to those of bemarinone, certain differences between the series were noted. Our structure-activity studies show that II is less sensitive to alkoxy-substitution effects than is I, and more significantly, 4-substitution of II by alkyl groups, halogen, or alkanecarboxylic acid derivatives enhances cardiotonic activity in II in contrast to I, wherein analogous substitution eliminated activity. A linear correlation between contractile force (CF) increase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase fraction III (PDE-III) inhibition by the title compounds was determined. The isoquinoline derivatives were characteristically short-acting cardiotonic agents with good potency and selectivity.