[Clinico-experimental study of the new antihypertensive preparation abletol (labetalol)]

Albetol treatment was administered to 31 patients with stable hypertension. The drug produced a drop in the heart rate, cardiac index and a slight decrease of total peripheral resistance, due to albetol simultaneous alpha- and beta-blocking action. There were no marked orthostatic changes. Blood pressure, cardiac index and heart rate values increased to a smaller extent in response to exercise. Experimental studies in the frog atrium showed different effects of Albetol and Propranolol on transmembrane ion currents. Albetol did not affect renal function at rest, nor the pattern of its change under physical stress and in an orthostatic position. It is suggested that albetol alpha-blocking action is predominant in the orthostatic test, while beta-blocking effect prevails during exercise.