Echocardiographic comparison of haemodynamic effects of metoprolol and propranolol.

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Abstract
Metoprolol (200 mg daily) and propranolol (160 mg daily) were each given for 1 wk to 11 normal subjects. The order of administration was randomized and not known during the study. Each period of treatment with active drug was followed by 1 wk during which placebo tablets were taken. M-mode echocardiograms and blood pressure were recorded before entry to the trial, twice during each week of treatment with metoprolol or propranolol, daily for 3 days and on the 7th day after stopping the drugs. Septal and posterior wall endocardial echoes were traced with an X-Y digitizer and left ventricular minor axis dimensions derived every 10 ms with a minicomputer. Both drugs reduced heart rate, cardiac output and blood pressure. Systemic vascular resistance was increased significantly by propranolol, and with both agents was inversely related to heart rate, cardiac output, left ventricular diastolic dimension and indices of contractility.