Key result
Carvedilol exerts combined nonselective beta- and selective alpha-1-adrenoceptor blockade, providing beneficial hemodynamic effects for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Carvedilol's unique pharmacodynamic profile of combined beta- and alpha-blockade provides a logical approach to treating high blood pressure by reducing peripheral resistance and cardiac afterload.
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Supports carvedilol rationale in hypertension via dual blockade; leaves open comparative positioning in contemporary trials.
The combination of a beta blocker and a vasodilator is logical in the treatment of high blood pressure. Systemic arteriolar dilatation is beneficial to reduce the elevated peripheral resistance and hence to decrease cardiac afterload. beta-Adrenoceptor blockade exerts its own antihypertensive activity and also suppresses the reflex tachycardia induced by vasodilation. The combined beta- and alpha-adrenoceptor blockade exerted by carvedilol imposes these beneficial hemodynamic effects. Carvedilol is a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and possessing selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor-blocking activity, although this is considerably weaker than its beta-adrenoceptor antagonistic activity. One isomer [S(-)-carvedilol] contains both the beta- and alpha-adrenoceptor activity, whereas R(+)-carvedilol is only a weak alpha blocker. Carvedilol is produced as the racemate. The hemodynamic profile is in accordance with that to be expected from the combination of beta and alpha blockade.
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P. A. van Zwieten (2008) conducted a review in high blood pressure. Carvedilol was evaluated. Carvedilol exerts combined nonselective beta- and selective alpha-1-adrenoceptor blockade, providing beneficial hemodynamic effects for the treatment of high blood pressure.
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