[Study of the action of acebutolol on the parameters of cardiac contraction measured by ultrasonic echography].

Recording by means of echography the motions of the posterior wall of the left ventricle makes it possible to compare in subjects acting as their own controls the amplitude of the movement, contraction and decontraction time of the myocardium before and after medication. This report concerns the variations recorded in 10 healthy patients before and after oral administration of 200 mg/day of acebutolol for 10 days. A statistically significant decrease of 8-9 p.cent of the various parameters was found. It probably reflects the negative inotropic action exerted by the drug.