Comparative clinical and hemodynamic investigations on two beta-receptor blocking agents (pindolol and mepindolol) in normal subjects.

Clinical and hemodynamic investigations of the effects of the new beta-receptor blocking agent mepindolol were compared with those of pindolol in studies with seven male subjects 23-34 years old. Mepindolol was found to be more effective in lowering the resting and exercise heart rate at lower dose levels. A more pronounced increase in right ventricular and pulmonary artery pressure was observed on exercise, but there was no difference between the two drugs in the effect on cardiac output. Thus mepindolol seems to have a greater effect on chronotropic than on inotropic receptors. This means that the drug can be given to patients with exertional angina without increasing the risk of cardiac decompensation.