title: A comparative study on the effects of pindolol and propranolol on systemic and cardiac haemodynamics in hypertensive patients.
abstract: Eight out-patients with essential hypertension participated in a comparative, placebo-controlled study with a cross-over design. Pindolol and propranolol were administered orally in doses of 20.0 +/- 3.13 mg/d (mean +/- SEM) and 125.0 +/- 19.17 mg/d respectively. Pindolol reduced mean blood pressure by 11.9 mmHg; pre-ejection period index by 8.1 msec; total peripheral resistance by 3.1 mmHg min/L; and limb vascular resistance by 3.28 mmHg min 100 g/ml. Heart rate, cardiac output, plasma renin activity and urinary norepinephrine excretion rate were not altered by pindolol. Propranolol reduced mean blood pressure by 14.0 mmHg; heart rate by 9.1 beats/min; cardiac output by 0.57 L/min; limb blood flow by 1.06 ml/100 g.min; and plasma renin activity by 1.44 ng/ml/h; and increased pre-ejection period index by 8.7 msec. Total peripheral resistance, limb vascular resistance and urinary norepinephrine excretion rate were not altered by propranolol. It was concluded that: (1) the drugs, pindolol and propranolol, are equally effective as antihypertensive agents; (2) heart function and plasma renin activity are decreased by propranolol and unaltered by pindolol; (3) total peripheral resistance is decreased by pindolol and unaltered by propranolol; and (4) these findings may be explained by the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity exhibited by pindolol only.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000652:urine; D010869:Pindolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol; D010869:Pindolol; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine