Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are drugs that bind to beta-adrenoceptors and thereby block the binding of norepinephrine and epinephrine to these receptors. This inhibits normal sympathetic effects that act through these receptors. Therefore, beta-blockers are sympatholytic drugs. Some beta-blockers, when they bind to the beta-adrenoceptor, partially activate the receptor while preventing norepinephrine from binding to the receptor. These partial agonists therefore provide some "background" of sympathetic activity while preventing normal and enhanced sympathetic activity. These particular beta-blockers (partial agonists) are said to possess intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA). Some beta-blockers also possess what is referred to as membrane stabilizing activity (MSA). This effect is similar to the membrane stabilizing activity of sodium-channels blockers that represent Class I antiarrhythmics.

The first generation of beta-blockers were non-selective, meaning that they blocked both beta₁ (b₁) and beta₂ (b₂) adrenoceptors. Second generation beta-blockers are more cardioselective in that they are relatively selective for b₁ adrenoceptors. Note that this relative selectivity can be lost at higher drug doses. Finally, the third generation beta-blockers are drugs that also possess vasodilator actions through blockade of vascular alpha-adrenoceptors.

Heart. Beta-blockers bind to beta-adrenoceptors located in cardiac nodal tissue, the conducting system, and contracting myocytes. The heart has both b₁ and b₂ adrenoceptors, although the predominant receptor type in number and function is b₁. These receptors primarily bind norepinephrine that is released from sympathetic adrenergic nerves. Additionally, they bind norepinephrine and epinephrine that circulates in the blood. Beta-blockers prevent the normal ligand (norepinephrine or epinephrine) from binding to the beta-adrenoceptor by competing for the binding site.

Beta-adrenoceptors are coupled to a Gs-proteins, which activate adenylyl cyclase to form cAMP from ATP. Increased cAMP activates a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) that phosphorylates L-type calcium channels, which causes increased calcium entry into the cell. Increased calcium entry during action potentials leads to enhanced release of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in the heart; these actions increase inotropy (contractility). Gs-protein activation also increases heart rate (chronotropy). PK-A also phosphorylates sites on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which lead to enhanced release of calcium through the ryanodine receptors (ryanodine-sensitive, calcium-release channels) associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This provides more calcium for binding the troponin-C, which enhances inotropy. Finally, PK-A can phosphorylate myosin light chains, which may contribute to the positive inotropic effect of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.

Because there is generally some level of sympathetic tone on the heart, beta-blockers are able to reduce sympathetic influences that normally stimulate chronotropy (heart rate), inotropy (contractility), dromotropy (electrical conduction) and lusitropy (relaxation). Therefore, beta-blockers cause decreases in heart rate, contractility, conduction velocity, and relaxation rate. These drugs have an even greater effect when there is elevated sympathetic activity.

Blood vessels. Vascular smooth muscle has b₂-adrenoceptors that are normally activated by norepinephrine released by sympathetic adrenergic nerves or by circulating epinephrine. These receptors, like those in the heart, are coupled to a Gs-protein, which stimulates the formation of cAMP. Although increased cAMP enhances cardiac myocyte contraction (see above), in vascular smooth muscle an increase in cAMP leads to smooth muscle relaxation. The reason for this is that cAMP inhibits myosin light chain kinase that is responsible for phosphorylating smooth muscle myosin. Therefore, increases in intracellular cAMP caused by b₂-agonists inhibits myosin light chain kinase thereby producing less contractile force (i.e., promoting relaxation).

Compared to their effects in the heart, beta-blockers have relatively little vascular effect because b₂-adrenoceptors have only a small modulatory role on basal vascular tone. Nevertheless, blockade of b₂-adrenoceptors is associated with a small degree of vasoconstriction in many vascular beds. This occurs because beta-blockers remove a small b₂-adrenoceptor vasodilator influence that is normally opposing the more dominant alpha-adrenoceptor mediated vasoconstrictor influence.

Therapeutic Indications

Beta-blockers are used for treating hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and heart failure.

Hypertension. Beta-blockers decrease arterial blood pressure by reducing cardiac output. Many forms of hypertension are associated with an increase in blood volume and cardiac output. Therefore, reducing cardiac output by beta-blockade can be an effective treatment for hypertension, especially when used in conjunction with a diuretic. Hypertension in some patients is caused by emotional stress, which causes enhanced sympathetic activity. Beta-blockers are very effective in these patients. Beta-blockers are especially useful in treating hypertension caused by a pheochromocytoma, which results in elevated circulating catecholamines. Beta-blockers have an additional benefit as a treatment for hypertension in that they inhibit the release of renin by the kidneys (the release of which is partly regulated by b₁-adrenoceptors in the kidney). Decreasing circulating plasma renin leads to a decrease in angiotensin II and aldosterone, which enhances renal loss of sodium and water and further diminishes arterial pressure. Acute treatment with a beta-blocker is not very effective in reducing arterial pressure because of a compensatory increase in systemic vascular resistance. This may occur because of baroreceptor reflexes working in conjunction with the removal of b₂ vasodilatory influences that normally offset, to a small degree, alpha-adrenergic mediated vascular tone. Chronic treatment with beta-blockers lowers arterial pressure more than acute treatment possibly because of reduced renin release and effects of beta-blockade on central and peripheral nervous systems.

Angina and myocardial infarction. The antianginal effects of beta-blockers are attributed to their cardiodepressant and hypotensive actions. By reducing heart rate, contractility, and arterial pressure, beta-blockers reduce the work of the heart and the oxygen demand of the heart. Reducing oxygen demand improves the oxygen supply/demand ratio, which can relieve a patient of anginal pain that is caused by a reduction in the oxygen supply/demand ratio due to coronary artery disease. Furthermore, beta-blockers have been found to be very important in the treatment of myocardial infarction in that they have been shown to decrease mortality. Their benefit is derived not only from improving the oxygen supply/demand ratio and reducing arrhythmias, but also from their ability to inhibit subsequent cardiac remodeling.

Arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic properties beta-blockers (Class II antiarrhythmic) are related to their ability to inhibit sympathetic influences on cardiac electrical activity. Sympathetic nerves increase sinoatrial node automaticity by increasing the pacemaker currents, which increases sinus rate. Sympathetic activation also increases conduction velocity (particularly at the atrioventricular node), and stimulates aberrant pacemaker activity (ectopic foci). These sympathetic influences are mediated primarily through b₁-adrenoceptors. Therefore, beta-blockers can attenuate these sympathetic effects and thereby decrease sinus rate, decrease conduction velocity (which can block reentry mechanisms), and inhibit aberrant pacemaker activity. Beta-blockers also affect non-pacemaker action potentials by increasing action potential duration and the effective refractory period. This effect can play a major role in blocking arrhythmias caused by reentry.

Heart failure. The majority of patients in heart failure have a form that is called systolic dysfunction, which means that the contractile function of the heart is depressed (loss of inotropy). Although it seems counterintuitive that cardioinhibitory drugs such as beta-blockers would be used in cases of systolic dysfunction, clinical studies have shown quite conclusively that some specific beta-blockers actually improve cardiac function and reduce mortality. Furthermore, they have been shown to reduce deleterious cardiac remodeling that occurs in chronic heart failure. Although the exact mechanism by which beta-blockers confer their benefit to heart failure patients is poorly understood, it may be related to blockade of excessive, chronic sympathetic influences on the heart, which are known to be harmful to the failing heart.

Different Classes of Beta-Blockers and Specific Drugs

Beta-blockers that are used clinically can be divided into two classes: 1) non-selective blockers (block both b₁and b₂ receptors), or 2) relatively selective b₁ blockers ("cardioselective" beta-blockers). Some beta-blockers have additional mechanisms besides beta-blockade that contribute to their unique pharmacologic profile. The two classes of beta-blockers along with specific compounds are listed in the following table. Additional details for each drug may be found at www.rxlist.com. The clinical uses indicated in the table represent both on and off-label uses of beta-blockers. For example, a given beta-blocker may only be approved by the FDA for treatment of hypertension; however, physicians sometimes elect to prescribe the drug for angina because of the class-action benefit that beta-blockers have for angina.

Clinical Uses

Class/Drug HTN Angina Arrhy MI CHF Comments

Non-selective b₁/b₂

   carteolol X ISA; long acting; also used for glaucoma

   carvedilol X X a-blocking activity

   labetalol X X ISA; a-blocking activity

   nadolol X X X X long acting

   penbutolol X X ISA

   pindolol X X ISA; MSA

   propranolol X X X X MSA; prototypical beta-blocker

   sotalol X several other significant mechanisms

   timolol X X X X primarily used for glaucoma

b₁-selective

   acebutolol X X X ISA

   atenolol X X X X

   betaxolol X X X MSA

   bisoprolol X X X

   esmolol X X ultra short acting; intra or postoperative HTN

   metoprolol X X X X X MSA

Abbreviations: HTN, hypertension; Arrhy, arrhythmias; MI, myocardial infarction; CHF, congestive heart failure; ISA, intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

Side Effects and Contraindications

Cardiovascular side effects. Many of the side effects of beta-blockers are related to their cardiac mechanisms and include bradycardia, reduced exercise capacity, heart failure, hypotension, and atrioventicular (AV) nodal conduction block. All of these side effects result from excessive blockade of normal sympathetic influences on the heart. Considerable care needs to be exercised if a beta-blocker is given in conjunction with cardiac selective calcium-channel blockers (e.g., verapamil) because of their additive effects in producing electrical and mechanical depression. Except for those drugs specifically approved for use in heart failure, beta-blockers are contraindicated in heart failure patients. Beta-blockers are also contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia and partial AV block.

Other side effects. Bronchoconstriction can occur, especially when non-selective beta-blockers are administered to asthmatic patients. Therefore, non-selective beta-blockers are contraindicated in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bronchoconstriction occurs because sympathetic nerves innervating the bronchioles normally activate b₂-receptors that promote bronchodilation. Blockade of these receptors can lead to bronchoconstriction. Hypoglycemia can occur with beta-blockade because b₂-adrenoceptors normally stimulate hepatic glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) and pancreatic release of glucagon, which work together to increase plasma glucose. Therefore, blocking b₂-adrenoceptors lowers plasma glucose. b₁-blockers have fewer metabolic side effects in diabetic patients; however, the tachycardia which serves as a warning sign for insulin-induced hypoglycemia may be masked. Therefore, beta-blockers are to be used cautiously in diabetics.

Revised 03/15/07

DISCLAIMER: These materials are for educational purposes only, and are not a source of medical decision-making advice.