Peripheral vascular effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade: comparison of two agents

1. The effects of atenolol (100 mg), a beta 1-adrenoceptor blocker, and bevantolol (200 mg) were compared on heart rate, blood pressure, lung function and on the peripheral circulation in normal volunteers before and after isoprenaline infusion. Recordings were obtained 2 and 24 h following a single dose and 24 h after continuous dosage for 7 days. 2. The effect of atenolol on the blockade of beta-adrenergic stimuli, as measured by the ability to reduce isoprenaline-induced tachycardia, was greater than that of bevantolol. Though both drugs achieved a similar reduction in systolic pressure there was a significantly greater reduction in diastolic pressure with bevantolol. The lung function tests gave similar results to those with other beta-adrenoceptor blockers. 3. Atenolol produced a fall in peripheral blood flow consistent with unopposed peripheral alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation. The effect of bevantolol differs from that of atenolol, an initial fall in peripheral blood flow being followed by a rapid recovery to baseline or greater. This effect may be due to partial alpha-adrenoceptor agonist activity.