Do beta-blockers cause vasospasm?
The action of beta-blockers on papillary blood flow is quite controversial. Because there is a known relationship between digital and ocular vasospasm, we measured digital blood flow by laser-Doppler methods as a peripheral index of ocular vasospastic disorders. Thus, the effects of cardioselective (betaxolol) and noncardioselective (timolol) beta-blockers on peripheral blood flow in healthy volunteers were evaluated. Neither beta-blocker lowered peripheral blood flow; for betaxolol, there was even a significant increase compared to no medication. No significant differences between betaxolol and timolol were seen.
Graf-Grauwiller
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Stümpfig
D
D
Flammer
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013035:Spasm / Q000503:physiopathology; D013999:Timolol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013999:Timolol; D015784:Betaxolol