Effect of beta blockade with and without sympathomimetic activity (ISA) on sympathovagal balance and baroreflex sensitivity
Haberthür,
Schächinger,
Langewitz,
Ritz,
Haberthür
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorSchächinger
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorLangewitz
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorRitz
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this author Haberthür,
Schächinger,
Langewitz,
Ritz,
Haberthür
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorSchächinger
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorLangewitz
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorRitz
Division of Intensive Care Medicine and Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Basle, Switzerland
Search for more papers by this authorHaberthür Division of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basle, Spitalstrasse 21, CH-4031 Basle, Switzerland
Abstract
Beta blockers increase heart rate variability (HRV) and improve survival in coronary artery disease (CAD). The benefit of beta blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) in CAD still remains a matter of debate, and their effect on HRV has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we measured HRV, systolic blood pressure variability (BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) under propranolol (PROP, without ISA, 160 mg q.d.), pindolol (PIN, with potent ISA, 15 mg q.d.) and placebo (PLA, q.d.) in 30 healthy subjects, aged 21–39 years, during controlled frequency breathing (0·30 Hz) in supine and tilt positions. PROP increased HRV in the high-frequency (0·15–0·40 Hz) band (PROP 7·4 ± 1·0; PLA 6·9 ± 1·4; PIN 6·8 ± 1·0 ln MI2; P = 0·003), decreased BPV in the low-frequency band (at 0·1 Hz, Mayer waves) (PROP 0·6 ± 0·7; PLA 1·3 ± 1·1; PIN 1·2 ± 1·2 ln mmHg2; P = 0·001) and enhanced BRS (PROP 14·6 ± 9·5; PLA 8·0 ± 6·8; PIN 8·7 ± 6·8 ms mmHg−1; P = 0·001) in the supine position. After passive tilt, PROP decreased HRV in the low-frequency band (PROP 6·1 ± 0·9; PLA 6·5 ± 1·1; PIN 6·9 ± 0·7 ln MI2; P<0·001) and decreased Mayer waves (PROP 1·8 ± 0·8; PLA 2·4 ± 1·0; PIN 2·7 ± 0·8 ln mm Hg2; P<0·001). PIN increased the low-frequency HRV response, which is induced by passive tilt (PIN + 0·9 ± 1·0; PLA + 0·3 ± 1·3, PROP + 0·3 ± 1·0 ln MI2; P = 0·026). Our results prove that beta-adrenergic blockade with potent ISA does not increase HRV, has no beneficial effect on autonomic balance and even exaggerates sympathetic responses to passive tilt.
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