The systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of the nitrovasodilator, pirsidomine, were compared with SIN-1, nitroprusside, and nitroglycerin. Four groups consisting of 32 experiments were performed in 17 conscious dogs chronically instrumented for measurement of aortic and left ventricular pressure, left ventricular dP/dtmax, diastolic coronary blood flow velocity, cardiac output, and subendocardial segment length. On separate experimental days, systemic and coronary hemodynamics were recorded during control conditions and after intravenous administration of pirsidomine (1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg.kg-1), SIN-1, (50, 100, and 200 micrograms.kg-1), nitroprusside (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1), or nitroglycerin (1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). Pirsidomine decreased mean arterial, left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures, stroke volume and systemic vascular resistance. Diastolic coronary blood flow velocity and heart rate were increased and coronary vascular resistance decreased by pirsidomine. SIN-1, nitroprusside and nitroglycerin caused similar decreases in preload (evaluated by left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) and afterload (indirectly assessed by mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance) as compared to pirsidomine. However, equihypotensive doses of SIN-1, nitroprusside, and nitroglycerin improved ventricular performance as assessed by increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax, cardiac output and segment shortening, in contrast to those findings during comparable doses of pirsidomine (4 mg.kg-1). Despite similar loading conditions, high doses of pirsidomine did not enhance left ventricular function, suggesting that pirsidomine may have direct negative inotropic effects.