Diastolic time (DT) is calculated as the cycle length (RR) minus electromechanical systole (QS2). The ratio of DT (RR-QS2) to RR interval times 100, or the percent diastole (%D), varies nonlinearly with heart rate (HR), increasing rapidly with decreasing HR. The effect of commonly used cardioactive agents on %D was studied in five groups of normal subjects. In group I (n = 12), propranolol (160...