Skip Navigation

European Heart Journal 1992 13(2):281-286;
Copyright © 1992 by the European Society of Cardiology.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by LUND-JOHANSEN, P.
Right arrow Articles by OMVIK, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by LUND-JOHANSEN, P.
Right arrow Articles by OMVIK, P.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1992 The European Society of Cardiology

Chronic haemodynamic effects of carvedilol in essential hypertension at rest and during exercise

P. LUND-JOHANSEN and P. OMVIK

Section of Cardiology, Medical Department, University of Bergen, School of Medicine, Haukeland Hospital 5021 Bergen, Norway

Received 31 December 1990; .

Correspondence Per Lund-Johansen M.D. Section of Cardiology, Medical Department, Haukeland Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway

Abstract

Nineteen men (mean age 44 years) with essential hypertension, WHO stage I, were studied invasively at rest and during exercise. Blood pressure was recorded in intra-arterially (brachial artery), cardiac output by dye dilution method and heart rate by electrocardiography. After initial pre-drug recordings, the patients received 25 mg carvedilol orally and central haemodynamics at rest and during exercise were recorded 1 and 2 h after tablet in take to evaluate the immediate effects of curvedilol. The results indicated a combined ß-blocking and vasodilating effect. After 6–9 months of treatment, supine haemodynamics were recorded 12–24 h after the last dose and then 1 and 2 h after an additional 25 mg dose. During chronic treatment (2 h after last dose at rest supine) mean arterial pressure was reduced by 17% (P <0.001) and total peripheral resistance index by 6% (NS) while heart rate and cardiac index were reduced by 12%. Exercise haemodynamics demonstratedafall in bloodpressure of 17% (P <0.001). Exercise stroke index increased by 5% (NS), partly compensatingfor the reduction in heart rate of 17%. Total peripheral resistance index was reduced by 5% (NS). It is concluded that carvedilol is an effective anti-hypertensive agent in a large proportion of patients with essential hypertension. The haemodynamic mode of action reflects an a1-blocking activity, particularly in situations with low sympathetic tone. During exercise the ß1-blocking activity (demonstrated by the reduction in heart rate) is more prominent.

Key Words: Hypertension • haemodynamics • cardiac output • exercise • ß-blockers • carvedilol


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.