Activation of the adrenergic nervous system appears to play a crucial role in the genesis of fatal arrhythmias associated with the very early stages of acute myocardial infarction. The second messenger of beta-adrenergic catecholamine stimulation, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), has established arrhythmogenic qualities, acting by an increase in cytosolic calcium, which potentially has three adverse electrophysiologic effects. First, stimulation of the transient inward current by excess oscillations of cytosolic calcium can invoke delayed afterdepolarizations, so that triggered automaticity can develop in otherwise quiescent ventricular muscle. Second, cyclic AMP can evoke calcium-dependent slow responses in depolarized fibers, so that conditions for reentry are favored. Third, excess cytosolic calcium can cause intercellular uncoupling with conduction slowing. Focal changes in cyclic AMP and cytosolic calcium promote the development of ventricular fibrillation. Beta-adrenergic blockade can limit the formation of cyclic AMP in ischemic tissue. Furthermore, by reducing sinus tachycardia it can lessen cytosolic calcium overload. Hence, beta-adrenergic blockade helps to prevent ventricular fibrillation in the early stages of acute myocardial infarction and protects from sudden death in the postinfarction phase. In congestive heart failure, abnormalities of cytosolic calcium patterns exist with cytosolic calcium overload. It is proposed that the adverse effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on the mortality rate in patients with congestive heart failure can be explained by increased rates of formation of cyclic AMP and the development of calcium-dependent arrhythmias. Because calcium is the ultimate messenger of cyclic AMP-induced arrhythmias and because cytosolic calcium is increased in heart failure, it will be difficult to develop positive inotropic agents that are free of the risk of sudden death.