Comparative study of acebutolol and oxprenolol in the management of hypertensive cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) patients.

Beta-blockers are now well established treatment for hypertension. The prognosis of CVD is influenced by the presence of hypertension and coronary artery disease; both have an effect on cerebral perfusion pressure. Acebutolol was compared with oxprenolol in the treatment of 17 CVD patients with hypertension of long standing, 14 of whom had cardiac abnormalities and 16 retired abnormalities. Both drugs produced satisfactory lowering of blood pressure and there was no significant difference between their hypotensive effects. No adverse neurological complications occurred during treatment with either drug. Side-effects, CNS and gastrointestinal, of oxprenolol treatment were more frequent than with acebutolol. One patient receiving oxprenolol suffered bronchospasm. Both drugs produced a beneficial effect on neurological deficit.