Renal effects of beta blockade in essential hypertension.

In this paper the effects of beta blockade on renal haemodynamics are reviewed. Although renal blood flow often declines during treatment with beta-blocking drugs, in many cases it is possible to demonstrate relative or absolute vasodilation in the kidney. Renal vasoconstriction seems to be a predominant pattern in patients who do not exhibit a hypotensive response. The mechanism of the changes in renal vascular tone is still not fully understood. The renin-angiotensin system behaves only passively and cannot be held responsible. Evidence is presented that changes in local adrenergic activity may determine the response of the kidney to chronic beta blockade.