Vasodilatory action of carvedilol.
Carvedilol is a dual-acting drug designed to produce two complementary effects: beta-blockade and vasodilation. These effects are induced in the same dose range, a prerequisite for utilizing both properties in an appropriate manner. The vasodilation is mediated predominantly by specific alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade. At markedly higher concentrations, additional vasodilating actions besides alpha 1-blockade can be observed. These effects resemble those of Ca(2+)-antagonistic properties. However, they do not contribute to the acute blood pressure-lowering activity of carvedilol but may be responsible for the increased blood flow to specific organs. At beta-blocking doses, carvedilol reduces the regional and systemic vascular resistance in various experimental models, healthy volunteers, and in patients with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. The profile of carvedilol thus insures beneficial treatment of hemodynamic disorders characterized by increased sympathetic tone and increased vascular resistance.
Sponer
G
G
Department of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Germany.
Strein
K
K
Bartsch
W
W
Müller-Beckmann
B
B
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077261:Carvedilol; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000077261:Carvedilol