BASIC DIFFERENCES IN HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS OF THE CARDIOSELECTIVE BETA-ADRENOBLOCKER ACEBUTOLOL AND NONSELECTIVE BETA-ADRENOBLOCKER PROPRANOLOL IN LONG-TERM ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY

The cardioselective beta-adrenoblocker acebutolol used as a course the rapy for 12 weeks was found to be a highly beneficial antihypertensive agent. The antihypertensive effect of the agent given in doses of 400 -800 mg/day was as pronounced and prolonged as that of propranolol, 80 -160 mg/day, though there is a tendency for acebutolol to show its com plete or partial antihypertensive effect rather at the end of monother apy than propranol. At the same time the bradycardiac effect was more pronounced in propranolol therapy. The antihypertensive effect of aceb utolol, 400-800 mg/day, was revealed after 2 weeks of its use and pers isted within the entire 12 weeks of therapy. The drug was well tolerat ed. In contrast to propranolol, a non-selective bea-adrenoblocker havi ng no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, acebutolol failed to produce adverse effects, such as by decreasing cardiac output and increasing total peripheral vascular resistance. The agent had a less negative ch ronotropic effect.