The effect of beta-blockade on leg blood flow in hypertensive patients with intermittent claudication

The present study was designed to assess the short-term effects of beta-blocking antihypertensive treatment on leg blood flow in patients with peripheral artery disease. Seven patients with intermittent claudication were randomly allocated to treatment with atenolol 100 mg or pindolol 10 mg. Patients switched therapy after one month of treatment. Venous occlusion plethysmography on the calves was used to assess the effects on leg blood flow after one and two months of treatment. The average 10% reduction of the systolic and diastolic blood pressures was not associated with any reduction of blood flow at rest. There was on average 3.4 ml reduction of peak flow which had no influence on the painfree or total walking distance.