ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
atenolol
;
labetolol
;
propranolol
;
peripheral circulation
;
beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs
;
finger blood flow
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary In an observer-blind, randomised cross-over trial, in 12 patients, the effects on the peripheral circulation of antihypertensive doses of atenolol, labetalol and propranolol and placebo were compared. After a placebo period of at least 4 weeks, patients were allocated at random to one of the three active drug treatments. After active treatment for at least 6 weeks and a fall in diastolic pressure (DP) to less than 90 mmHg subjects were switched to the next medication. At the end of each period, photoelectric plethysmography (PHELP) was done on all fingers of one hand cooled over 4 min in water in steps of 3°C from 33° to 12°C, and subsequently warmed in room air (20°C) for a period of 10 min. Blood flow changes during cooling were expressed as a percentage of the initial PHELP value (% PHELP). Areas under the curves, representing the % PHELP/cooling period and % PHELP/warming-up period, showed that within the temperature range normally encountered in daily life, labetalol preserved finger blood flow significantly better than propranolol and marginally better than placebo. With atenolol, finger blood flow was not significantly different from that during the three other regimens, but there were significantly fewer other side-effects. It is concluded that labetalol may be the drug of choice for hypertensive patients treated with beta-blocking agents whose peripheral arterial circulation seems inadequate at low temperatures.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00609679
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