the invention is directed to tricyclic benzodiazepines useful as vasopressin receptor antagonists for treating conditions involving increased vascular resistance and cardiac insufficiency . pharmaceutical compositions comprising tricyclic benzodiazepines of the present invention and methods of treating conditions such as hypertension , congestive heart failure , cardiac insufficiency , coronary vasospasm , cardiac ischemia , liver cirrhosis , renal vasospasm , renal failure , cerebral edema and ischemia , stroke , thrombosis , or water retention are also disclosed .