Circulation, Vol 72, 466-470, Copyright © 1985 by American Heart Association
JD Coffman and HM Rasmussen
Digital vasospastic phenomena have been reported to result from use of
nonselective and cardioselective beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking drugs. The
effects of 80 mg/day propranolol and 100 mg/day metoprolol on finger
hemodynamics and clinical responses were compared with those of placebo in
16 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. A double-blind, 2 week crossover
study design was used with a 2 week washout placebo period between drugs.
Total fingertip blood flow (FBF) as determined by venous occlusion
plethysmography, fingertip capillary flow (FCF) as determined by
radioisotope disappearance rate, and finger systolic blood pressure (FSP)
were measured in a 28.3 degrees and a 20 degrees C room at the end of each
period. Subjects kept diaries to record vasospastic attacks. There were no
significant changes in FBF, FCF, or FSP in the warm or cool environment
during drug treatment as compared with during the placebo period. A
decrease in pulse rate occurred with both drugs and there was a decrease in
blood pressure with metoprolol. There were no significant changes in the
number of vasospastic attacks or in the patients' overall evaluation of
their conditions while they were receiving the drugs. It is concluded that
the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon is not a contraindication to the use
of beta- adrenoreceptor-blocking drugs in the normotensive population.
ARTICLES
Effects of beta-adrenoreceptor-blocking drugs in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon
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