[Evaluation of the acute hemodynamic effects of butofilolol in the arterial hypertensive patient. Comparison with propranolol and atenolol].

The hemodynamic effects of butofilolol, a new beta-blocking agent, were studied in hypertensive patients. Results were compared to those obtained under the same experimental conditions with propranolol and atenolol. The beta-blocking activities of the three substances were assessed using the beta-adrenergic stimulation test described by Fitzgerald. The evaluation of hemodynamic effects was based on changes in the following parameters: systemic blood pressures, pulmonary blood pressures, cardiac output (systemic and pulmonary) arterial resistance (right and left) ventricular work and ejection rate. Results on butofilolol were as follows: early decrease in the cardiac index without significant change in the systolic index; later on, significant fall in systemic BP while pulmonary BP did not rise, indicating a mild repercussion on the left ventricular function; significant decrease in the right and left ventricular work. As compared with propranolol and atenolol, systemic BP was decreased more significantly on butofilolol. Moreover, the influence of butofilolol on the left ventricular function as assessed by the systolic index and pulmonary BP was less strongly marked than that of the other two substances.