Effects of carvedilol on cerebral blood flow and its autoregulation in previous stroke patients with hypertension.

We studied the effects of oral carvedilol (20 mg/day) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and CBF autoregulation in ten previous stroke patients with hypertension. Measurement of CBF was done by the argon inhalation method. CBF autoregulation was also studied by the (A-V)O2 method after stepwise reduction in systemic blood pressure. After 1 week of carvedilol administration, the mean arterial blood pressure showed an 18% decrease, with no significant changes in CBF, CBF autoregulation, or other cerebral circulation parameters. From these findings, it can be said that carvedilol is a potent antihypertensive agent that does not affect cerebral circulation parameters.