We investigated the effects of three anesthetics on the size of myocardial infarction and on blood flow distribution within the myocardial wall. Myocardial infarcts were induced in 34 dogs by ligating a coronary artery for 90 minutes, and permitting reflow for 90 minutes. The anesthetics used were fentanyl, Na-pentobarbital, and halothane. Under halothane the mean blood pressure (BP) during coronary artery ligation was 113 +/- 2/82 +/- 2 mm Hg and the heart rate (HR) was 135 +/- 2/min. Under fentanyl, the BP was 143 +/- 3/91 +/- 2 mm Hg and HR 99 +/- 3/min. Under Na-pentobarbital, BP was 141 +/- 2/104 +/- 2 mm Hg and HR 146 +/- 2/min. A higher mean BP combined with a slower HR, as seen under fentanyl, was associated with the smallest infarct (24 +/- 8%). Low BP and higher HR, as seen under halothane, was associated with the largest infarct (51 +/- 5%). Na-pentobarbital, with a higher BP but also a faster HR, resulted in an infarct size of 32 +/- 5%. We conclude that a higher mean BP combined with a slower HR might favor the preservation of a larger mass of vulnerable myocardial tissue in a totally occluded coronary artery.