[Neurovegetative regulation of the heart and use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents]

Dynamic adaptation of cardiac activity to respond to various physiological and pathological situations involves the autonomic nervous systems by means of negative feed-back. Beta-blocking drugs are very effective in changing cardiocirculatory regulation equilibria by altering the intensity of the negative feed-back mechanism, or by converting positive feed-back into negative feed-back. A strict and specific indication for the use of these powerful drugs is therefore required. Treatment should also take the form of courses, and be limited in terms of time wherever possible.