In the present study, we investigated the cardiovascular effects of dl-nebivolol, a newly synthetized, chemically novel, beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist and its enantiomers, d-nebivolol (SRRR) and l-nebivolol (RSSS), in closed-chest anesthetized dogs, using atenolol as a reference substance. Results from preliminary studies in vitro indicate that d-nebivolol is the beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist and that l-nebivolol is practically devoid of beta-adrenoceptor-blocking properties. Unlike atenolol, dl-nebivolol does not depress left ventricular function and slightly, but significantly, reduces peripheral vascular resistance over the dose range from 0.0025 to 0.04 mg.kg-1 i.v. These observations are likely to be clinically relevant because one daily oral dose of 5 mg dl-nebivolol effectively lowers arterial blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The favorable hemodynamic profile of dl-nebivolol can be ascribed to the l-enantiomer because the cardiovascular effects of this enantiomer are similar to those of the racemate. The cardiovascular profile of the d-enantiomer is similar to that of atenolol, albeit that its depressant effect on left ventricular function occurs at higher doses.