Influence of propranolol, metoprolol, and pindolol on mucociliary clearance in patients with coronary heart disease.

The effects of the beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs propranolol, metoprolol, pindolol, and placebo, on mucociliary clearance were studied in three groups of 6 subjects with coronary heart disease and normal lung function. Clearance rates of inhaled 99mTc-labeled human serum albumin minimicrospheres were determined over the apical right region of the lung with a gamma camera. A 3-day medication of propranolol 40 mg b.i.d., when compared with placebo, led to a significant decrease (p less than or equal to 0.05) in mucociliary clearance. Metoprolol 50 mg b.i.d. or pindolol 5 mg b.i.d. did not show any influence on mucociliary clearance. Implications for the use of different types of beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs in the treatment of coronary heart disease are discussed.