Beta-adrenergic blockade and peripheral vascular disease.
Hypertension and ischaemic heart disease are common accompaniments of peripheral vascular disease, and are often treated with beta-blocking drugs. Previous reports, however, have suggested that these drugs may aggravate peripheral vascular disease. A study was designed to investigate this problem with claudication-distance and skin and muscle blood-flow studies (as determined by 133Xe clearance) as indices for assessment. In all 11 patients who presented with features of peripheral vascular disease and were found to be taking beta-blocking drugs, administration of the drug was stopped, blood pressure was controlled by other means, and the situation was reassessed four weeks later. There was a significant improvement in claudication distance and in resting and post-exercise muscle blood flow after withdrawal of the drug. This held for both cardioselective and nonselective beta-blockers. It is recommended that this group of drugs be avoided in the treatment of patients with peripheral vascular disease.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists