Using gated radionuclide ventriculography and invasive cardiac monitoring, the effects of propofol alone and in combination with fentanyl on left ventricular (LV) volumes and function were investigated in 10 ASA III, unpremedicated patients (51-75 years) with coronary artery disease (NYHA II-III). Anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg/kg) followed by an infusion (100 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). Vecuronium (0.05 mg/kg) was administered and ventilation (FIO2, 1.0) was manually controlled via a face mask (FECO2, 4-5%). Data acquisitions were serially obtained over 15 minutes after the bolus IV injection of propofol and 5 minutes after the injection of fentanyl (5 micrograms/kg). Propofol induced a rapid decrease (15%) in mean arterial pressure (MAP) exclusively related to a decrease in cardiac index (CI), without reduction in indexed systemic vascular resistances (SVRI). Despite the decrease in MAP, heart rate did not change. The decrease in CI was associated with a lower preload. After the addition of fentanyl, MAP decreased significantly (35%) below the last set of propofol measurements. The decrease in MAP was associated with a reduction in CI and SVRI. Fentanyl was also associated with a significant decrease in heart rate (16%) resulting in a decrease in CI, whereas stroke index and end diastolic volume did not change. Neither global ejection fraction (EF) nor end systolic volume changed significantly at any time, nor were there changes in the ECG or in regional ejection fractions (REF). The absence of changes in REF was consistent with lack of wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle. Propofol alone and in combination with fentanyl does not alter LV performance in patients with good LV function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)