Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
-
J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Dec 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists on heart-rate variability in normal subjects assessed using summary statistics and nonlinear procedures.
The influence of celiprolol (beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptor partial agonist), propranolol (beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist), and atenolol (beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist) on heart-rate variability (HRV) was assessed from Holter records in 12 normal volunteers. A combination of summary statistics and nonlinear procedures was used to assess HRV and autonomic balance. Under double-blind and randomised conditions (Latin-square design), subjects received placebo, celiprolol (200 and 800 mg), propranolol (160 mg), atenolol (50 mg), and combinations of these agents. ⋯ Celiprolol increased the frequency of consecutive cardiac accelerations; the duration between and variance of these beat-to-beat differences shortened after celiprolol but lengthened with increased variance after propranolol and atenolol. These results demonstrated reduced HRV indices and a shift toward sympathetic dominance after the beta-adrenoceptor agonist celiprolol contrasting with increased HRV indices and parasympathetic dominance after the beta-adrenoceptor antagonists propranolol and atenolol. The implications of these findings for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease warrant further study.