Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...

Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers

Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers

Third-generation β-blockers, such as labetalol and carvedilol, represent a significant advancement in managing cardiovascular conditions. Unlike conventional β-blockers, which can induce peripheral vasoconstriction, third-generation drugs block α1 adrenoceptors. This promotes vasodilation through several mechanisms, such as increased nitric oxide production, inhibition of calcium ion entry, opening of potassium ion channels, and antioxidant action. Labetalol, for instance, is clinically...

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...

Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers

Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers

β-receptor blockers significantly impact the cardiovascular system by counteracting catecholamine-induced sympathetic responses. These medications decrease heart rate, contractility, and cardiac output, potentially leading to cardiac depression, life-threatening bradycardia, and death. Therapeutically, β-blockers function as mild antihypertensives and are utilized in treating angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias. However, nonselective β-blockers inhibit β2-receptors in bronchial smooth...

Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers

Antihypertensive Drugs: Types of β-Blockers

β receptors are classified into three subclasses: β1, β2, and β3. β1 receptors are primarily located in the heart and kidneys. When they get activated, they increase heart rate, contractility, and renin release. This process enhances blood pressure and aids in stress management. In contrast, β2 receptors are situated mainly in the lungs, blood vessels, and skeletal muscles. Upon activation, they trigger smooth muscle relaxation, causing bronchodilation and vasodilation. This widens airways and...

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The GEMstone Maze: Gamification of Medical Skills and Knowledge.

The clinical teacher·2026

Same author

Composition and optical properties of (In, Ga)As nanowires grown by group-III-assisted molecular beam epitaxy.

Nanotechnology·2024

Same author

COVID-19: The forgotten cases of hidden exiles.

Infectious diseases now·2021

Same author

The use of olanzapine as an antiemetic in palliative medicine: a systematic review of the literature.

BMC palliative care·2020

Same author

Dust Impacts on the 2012 Hurricane Nadine Track during the NASA HS3 Field Campaign.

Journal of the atmospheric sciences·2018

Same author

Additive manufacturing of hierarchical injectable scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Acta biomaterialia·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Published on: December 11, 2013

Beta blockers for peripheral arterial disease.

S C V Paravastu¹, D A Mendonca, A da Silva

¹Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK. sharathparavstu@googlemail.com

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery : the Official Journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery

|April 11, 2009

Summary

Beta blockers do not appear to worsen walking distance in peripheral arterial disease patients with intermittent claudication. However, caution is advised in critical ischemia cases.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Published on: December 11, 2013

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Medicine
Pharmacology

Background:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects leg circulation.
Beta blockers are commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs.
Concerns exist regarding beta blockers' impact on PAD symptoms like claudication.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of beta blockers in patients with PAD.
To quantify the effect of beta blockers on walking capacity and related vascular parameters.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Searched Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL for RCTs comparing beta blockers to placebo.
Included studies focused on claudication, walking distance, calf blood flow, vascular resistance, and skin temperature.

Main Results:

Six RCTs with 119 patients were analyzed.
Atenolol, propranolol, pindolol, and metoprolol were the beta blockers studied.
No statistically significant adverse effects on walking distance or vascular parameters were observed.

Conclusions:

Current evidence does not support the notion that beta blockers negatively impact walking distance in intermittent claudication.
Beta blockers can be used cautiously if clinically indicated for PAD patients.
Particular caution is recommended in critical ischemia due to contraindications for rapid blood pressure reduction.