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Increased platelet adhesion and aggregation in hypertensive patients: effect of atenolol
Insights
Atenolol effectively lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients and reduces platelet adhesion, potentially contributing to its cardio-protective effects. This beta-blocker showed few side effects in the study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition.
- Hypertensive patients exhibit increased platelet adhesion and aggregation.
- Beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents are recognized for cardio-protective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of atenolol.
- To investigate the effects of atenolol on platelet function in hypertensive patients.
- To assess the impact of atenolol on blood chemistry and lipid profiles.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, crossover trial involving 14 hypertensive patients.
- Comparison of 100 mg/day atenolol versus placebo.
- Measurement of blood pressure, platelet adhesion and aggregation, blood chemistry, and lipid levels.
Main Results:
- Atenolol significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Atenolol significantly decreased in vitro platelet adhesion, with minimal effect on aggregation.
- No significant changes in blood chemistry or hematological parameters were observed.
- Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly decreased, while cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained normal.
Conclusions:
- Atenolol is an effective antihypertensive agent.
- Reduced platelet adhesion by atenolol may contribute to its cardio-protective benefits.
- Monitoring of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is warranted during atenolol treatment.
Abstract:
Fourteen patients with established hypertension followed a double-blind crossover-styled trial to study the effects of 100 mg/day atenolol compared to placebo. Atenolol was found to be an effective antihypertensive agent, reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hypertensive patients appear to have increased in vitro platelet adhesion and aggregation. Atenolol significantly reduced platelet adhesion, but had little effect on aggregation. This may be important in contributing towards the now-recognised cardio-protective effect of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents. Blood chemistry and haematological parameters were unchanged; but whereas plasma cholesterol and plasma triglyceride levels remained normal, there was a significant fall in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Side effects were very few.