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A Study of Effects in Normal Man

James A. Pantano, MD; Yu-Chen Lee, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1976;136(8):867-871.

Abstract
Acute coronary artery syndromes, including unstable angina and myocardial infarction, have been described after the abrupt withdrawal of β-adrenergic blocking agents. One possible mechanism is a hyperinotropic state resulting from a rebound hypersensitivity to endogenous catecholamines.

Propranolol hydrochloride was administered to 21 healthy subjects for 15 days. Systolic time intervals and 24-hour urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were measured serially before, during, and after administration. Serial serum propranolol levels were measured during and after administration. Inhibition of exercise-induced tachycardia by propranolol was established before and during drug administration.

Although there were therapeutic serum levels of propranolol and a significant decrease in the resting and exercise heart rate (P <.001 and P <.001, respectively), the systolic time intervals and VMA excretion measured during the withdrawal period did not differ from baseline levels. Thus, there was no evidence of a rebound hyperinotropic state.

(Arch Intern Med 136:867-871, 1976)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Baltimore School of Medicine.

Footnotes
Received for publication July 23, 1975; accepted Jan 20, 1976.

Reprint requests to Allentown-Sacred Heart Hospital Center, Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18105 (Dr Pantano).

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