Acute effects of acebutolol on cardiovascular function in man

1 The acute cardiovascular effects of acebutolol were measured at constant paced heart rate in thirteen patients investigated for possible coronary artery disease, six of whom showed significant coronary stenosis with regional myocardial dysfunction, seven of whom proved normal. Acebutolol 0.75 mg/kg i.v. was given to three patients with coronary artery disease and three normals, and 1 mg/kg i.v. to the other patients.2 Measurements were made of cardiac output, left ventricular and arterial pressures, and left ventricular angiography. Isovolumic and ejection phase parameters of left ventricular function, and systemic vascular resistance were derived. Plasma levels of acebutolol were measured. 3 The acute effects of acebutolol were a slight fall in cardiac output, LV dp/dt and dP/dt/P. There was no change in LV or arterial pressures, no consistent change in LVEDP or EDV, and no consistent change in ejection fraction or mean VCF. These changes imply a small negative inotropic effect, more marked at the higher dose. 4 The effects of acebutolol differed in patients with ischaemic heart disease compared with normals in that LVEDP and EDV increased, mean VCF decreased and cardiac output was lowered more. 5 These data are consistent with myocardial and vascular effects of beta-adrenoceptor blockade more marked at the higher dose and more marked in patients with ischaemic heart disease.