[Effects of a new cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker (atenolol) on airway resistance in chronic obstructive disease (author's transl)].

The effect of 4-(2-hydroxy-3-isopropylamino-propoxy)-phenyl acetamide (atenolol, ICI 66 082) (100 mg) on airway resistance (Rt), thoracic gas volume (IGV), pulse rate and blood pressure was tested as a double blind study in 20 patients with chronic obstructive airway disease in comparison to propranolol (80 mg) and placebo. The effect on pulse rate was equipotent, but when using propranolol the mean increase of Rt was larger and increased Rt-values (greater than or equal 1.5 cm H2O/l/sec) were observed more frequently than after atenolol application. These differences were significant for 1 h after application. The augmentation of IGV was significantly larger after propranolol than after atenolol. We conclude that atenolol, in comparison to propranolol, has a relative but no specific cardioselectivity.