Combined alpha- and beta-blockade with labetalol in post-open heart surgery hypertension. Reversal of hemodynamic deterioration with glucagon.

The hemodynamic effects of intravenous labetalol (a combined alpha- and beta-blocking agent) were studied in 11 patients during early post-open heart surgery hypertension. With a mean dosage of 15 mg, labetalol reduced both systemic arterial pressures and the heart rate by an average of 21 percent (p < .001). The patients failed to compensate for the decline in pressure and pulse rate by elevation of their stroke volume, and even the cardiac index (CI) was severely depressed (from 2.30 to 1.67 L/min/m2, ie, 27 percent; p < .001). Neither left ventricular filling pressure nor vascular resistance was affected by labetalol early after open heart surgery. In four patients, 3 mg of glucagon after administration of labetalol elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and increased the CI by 16 percent. Two patients were observed on the preoperative day, and their response to labetalol was similar to that described in earlier studies: during blood pressure decline, CI was slightly augmented, and the systemic vascular resistance was greatly reduced (26 percent). The results indicate that after open heart surgery, patients are highly sensitive to the beta-blocking effects of labetalol, and although labetalol can greatly reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, it cannot be recommended for the treatment of post-open heart surgery hypertension.