DL-2-(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenyl-2-hydroxyacetamidine-HCl (LL-1418) (7.5 mg/kg, i.v.) produced a decrease in systemic blood pressure and peripheral resistance without altering cardiac output, general hemodynamics, or myocardial metabolism in anesthetized dogs.At higher dosages (15 mg/kg), LL-1418 decreased the sympathetic tone of the heart, decreasing the myocardial contractile force and left ventricular work.