Hemodynamic effects of dilevalol in patients with systemic hypertension and left ventricular dysfunction

Hemodynamic and left ventricular function parameters were measured in patients with mild to moderate hypertension and compromised left ventricular function who were given dilevalol, an antihypertensive agent with selective beta 2-agonism and nonselective beta-antagonist activity. After a 2- to 3-week placebo washout period, 9 patients were given dilevalol titrated upward from 100 to 600 mg twice daily over a 7-week period to achieve a supine diastolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg with a decrease of greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg from baseline. Multigated radionuclide ventriculography and systolic and diastolic time intervals were performed after the pretreatment placebo washout, at the end of 2 weeks' maintenance dosing, and after a 7- to 10-day post-treatment discontinuation and placebo washout period. At an average daily dose of dilevalol, 444 mg, heart rate at rest decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) during treatment and increased during post-treatment placebo. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures at rest decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) during treatment and increased during post-treatment placebo. At maximal exercise, changes in blood pressure and heart rate were significantly blunted (p less than 0.05) during treatment. Ejection fraction at rest increased significantly (p less than 0.01) during treatment, with no significant change occurring during exercise, and decreased during post-treatment placebo. Preejection period decreased significantly during treatment (p less than 0.005) and increased during post-treatment placebo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)