Int J Clin Pharm Th
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Int J Clin Pharm Th · Jul 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialAcute effects of a single oral dose of carvedilol on cardiac sympathovagal balance in man.
Modulation of autonomic activity is considered to be a prognostic marker in patients with cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modulation of sympathovagal balance after single-dose administration of carvedilol using various autonomic tests as challenges of sympathovagal balance. We conducted a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 18 male volunteers and applied a crossover design. ⋯ Apparently, the effects of even small doses of carvedilol, too low to induce effects detectable in the 24-hour analysis of HRV testing, can be detected on controlled maneuvers of autonomic because of their ability to modulate autonomic balance. Under conditions of vagal stimulation, a potentially beneficial augmentation of HRV parameters indicative for this component is induced by carvedilol, while under conditions of sympathetic activation, carvedilol effects seem opposite. Interpretation of the latter results, in particular, requires further investigation.