Effect of blood pressure angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations during treatment of severe hypertension with intravenous labetalol: comparison with propranolol.

1 The actions of labetalol 1.0-2.0 mg/kg intravenously on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations have been studied in 20 recumbent hypertensive patients. 2 In all subjects there was a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures within 5 min of completion of injection. 3 Severe hypotension was not seen but three patients who had a marked fall in blood pressure experienced side-effects. Postural hypotension was common at the end of the study. 4 Labetalol caused significant reduction in heart rate. 5 Labetalol induced significant lowering of plasma angiotensin II and in plasma aldosterone concentrations, which were most obvious when these were increased initially; overall there was a close correlation between concurrent measurements of angiotensin II and aldosterone concentrations. 6 In five patients a comparison was made against propranolol 10 mg intravenously. Labetalol was more effective in lowering blood pressure but less effective in reducing pulse rate of plasma angiotensin II concentration.