Related Concept Videos
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...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which indirectly block calcium...
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...
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...
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...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of β-Receptor Blockers
β-adrenergic antagonists, or β-blockers, modulate the sympathetic nervous system by targeting β-adrenoceptors and inhibiting catecholamine-mediated sympathetic responses. β-blockers differ in their adrenoceptor subtype affinity, lipophilicity, and α-blocking capabilities. The history of β-blocker development began with the prototype, dichloroisoprenaline, which exhibited partial agonist activity. As a result, propranolol was developed as a pure antagonist but nonselective agent, paving the way...
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Sort by
Same journal
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and General Anesthesia for Dental Treatment: A Case Report.
Anesthesia progress·2026
Same journal
A Review of Current Literature of Interest to the Office-Based Anesthesiologist.
Anesthesia progress·2026
Same journal
Comparison of the Effects of Remimazolam and Propofol, With Epinephrine-containing Lidocaine, on Rocuronium-induced Muscle Relaxation.
Anesthesia progress·2026
Same journal
Desflurane-Induced Delayed Onset of Malignant Hyperthermia: A Case Report.
Anesthesia progress·2026
Same journal
Review of Oral Muscle Relaxants Used for Chronic Temporomandibular Disorder Pain.
Anesthesia progress·2026
Same journal
Perioperative Anesthetic Management for Dental Patients of Venezuelan Descent.
Anesthesia progress·2026
