Carvedilol for systemic hypertension.
Twenty-four hour profiles of intraarterial ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were significantly reduced by administration of carvedilol, a new beta-blocker with vasodilating properties. Twelve patients were given carvedilol, 25 mg twice daily for 2 weeks; the dose was then increased to 50 mg twice daily if the target BP was not achieved. After 4 weeks of therapy, mean daytime reduction in BP was 25 +/- 3 mm Hg systolic and 19 +/- 3 mm Hg diastolic, and mean reduction in heart rate was 22 +/- 3 beats/min. BP at the peak of isometric exercise and during dynamic exercise was also significantly reduced. Radionuclide measurements showed that left ventricular ejection fraction was not affected by treatment, but there was a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic volumes. The drug was well tolerated. This clinical trial suggests that carvedilol will be a useful first-line drug for treatment of essential hypertension, and its vasodilating action may have a more favorable effect on left ventricular function than conventional beta-blocking drugs.
Heber
M E
ME
Department of Cardiology, Northwick Park Hospital, Middlesex, England.
Brigden
G S
GS
Caruana
M P
MP
Lahiri
A
A
Raftery
E B
EB
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011875:Radionuclide Angiography
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol