[Evaluation of cardiac performance in the hypertensive patient. Effect of a beta-blocking agent: atenolol]
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Insights
Atenolol significantly reduced cardiac output and heart rate in hypertensive patients. This beta-blocker impacted preejection periods differently in borderline versus sustained hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Essential hypertension is a common cardiovascular condition.
- Understanding the hemodynamic effects of beta-blockers is crucial for treatment.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effects of atenolol on cardiac output and systolic time intervals in patients with essential hypertension.
- To differentiate the hemodynamic responses between sustained and borderline hypertension.
Summary:
- Atenolol administration led to significant reductions in cardiac output and heart rate in both sustained and borderline hypertensive patients.
- The drug differentially affected preejection periods, prolonging them more significantly in borderline hypertensives compared to those with sustained hypertension.
- Non-invasive hemodynamic techniques were employed to assess cardiac performance and neurogenic contributions in borderline hypertension.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the hemodynamic mechanisms of atenolol in managing hypertension.
- Highlights potential differences in beta-blocker response based on hypertension severity.
- Demonstrates the utility of non-invasive methods for evaluating cardiac function in hypertensive individuals.
Abstract:
Cardiac output (isotopic dilution method) and systolic time intervals were studied in 11 sustained and 8 borderline essential hypertensive patients, before and after intravenous administration of atenolol, a potent beta-blocking agent. Atenolol decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) cardiac output and heart rate. In borderline hypertensives, the preejection periods were significantly reduced. Atenolol prolonged the preejection periods more significantly (p less than 0.01) in borderline than in permanent hypertensives. Non invasive hemodynamic technics enabled the cardiac performance to be evaluated in hypertensives and the contribution of neurogenic factors in borderline hypertension to be estimated.