The central and peripheral hemodynamics of celiprolol

The cardiovascular effects of celiprolol in healthy subjects and in those with cardiovascular disease and hypertension are reviewed. Unlike classic beta-blockers, celiprolol does not depress cardiac contractility at rest while interfering to a lesser extent with cardiac function during exercise. Furthermore, celiprolol causes systemic vasodilatation, which, in hypertension, is mainly responsible for the blood pressure-reducing effects of the drug. Vasodilatation results from the reduction in vascular resistance of skeletal muscle tissues, but celiprolol also produces dilatation of vascular areas such as the kidney. This prevents a reduction in renal blood flow and consequently the salt and water retention associated with impaired perfusion. It is possible that such hemodynamic changes are dependent not on celiprolol's selective beta1-receptor-blocking properties but on certain additional properties.