Beta-blockers: a new therapeutic approach to Raynaud's disease.

Thirty-six patients with Raynaud's disease (RD) were treated with a low dosage of beta-blockers, atenolol (50 mg/day) or propranolol (20 mg/day). Previous data have suggested that the pathophysiology of RD may be mediated by presynaptic beta-adrenoceptors. In this research we report that chronic beta-blocker treatment, at low dosage, can prevent the cold-induced vasospasm. The majority of patients (28) responded to atenolol, and 8 patients refractory to atenolol responded to propranolol.