Evidence for improved cardiac performance after beta-blockade in patients with coronary artery disease

The study was undertaken to investigate the acute haemodynamic effects of bunitrolol (0-2-hydroxy-3-(tert.butylamino)-propoxy)-bity. Right and left heart catheterization was performed in eleven patients with documented coronary artery disease. After bunitrolol (10 mg i.v.), there was a statistically significant decrease in left ventricular and aortic systolic pressures left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, aortic diastolic and mean pressures, pressure-rate product and compliance index (delta P/delta V). Left ventricular dp/dt, left ventricular dp/dt over isovolumic pressure, systemic resistance and heart rate tended to decrease, stroke volume and left ventricular stroke work index tended to increase, without statistical significance. Cardiac index showed individual variations, the mean values for the group being unchanged. Correlation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and left ventricular stroke work index showed a shift toward improved ventricular function curve in most cases, deterioration in no instance. Supine exercise was performed in ten patients. Angina occurred in nine patients; in five only before and in four before and after beta-blockade. Post-drug exercise heart rate, pressure-rate product and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were significantly lower, the latter also in the four patients who still presented exercise angina. It is concluded that certain beta-blockers can improve cardiac performance at rest and during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease. This is explainable on the basis of a more favourable balance between oxygen supply and demand, together with a less marked negative inotropic effect due to the partial agonist activity of the agent used in the study.