Effects of atenolol vs diltiazem on the haemodynamic effects of an inhaled beta 2‐adrenoceptor agonist.

To determine the effects of concurrent beta 1-adrenoceptor blocker or calcium channel antagonist administration on the haemodynamic sequelae of an inhaled beta 2-selective adrenoceptor agonist bronchodilator, we examined echocardiographically the effects of fenoterol (400 micrograms) by metered dose inhaler following oral pre-treatment with (a) placebo, (b) atenolol or (c) diltiazem. Following placebo, fenoterol produced significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure (14% +/- 6%), total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) (31% +/- 9%) and end-systolic stress (ESS) (15% +/- 21%). Cardiac output rose significantly (42% +/- 23%) as did heart rate (25% +/- 13%). After atenolol, responses to fenoterol were significantly blunted. Post-fenoterol heart rate, systolic blood pressure, % fractional shortening, stroke volume, ejection fraction, cardiac output and pressure/volume ratio increased significantly less after atenolol pre-treatment as compared to placebo pretreatment. TPR decreased significantly less. After diltiazem pre-treatment, the response to inhaled fenoterol was not different from that following placebo pre-treatment. We conclude that atenolol blunts the haemodynamic changes induced by fenoterol inhalation whereas diltiazem has little effect.