The acute and chronic effect of oxprenolol and propranolol on peripheral blood flow in hypertensive patients.

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Abstract
The effects of oxprenolol and propranolol on peripheral blood flow were compared in patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension. In an acute double-blind crossover study in 8 patients, there was a significant reduction in resting forearm blood flow (RFBF) 2 h after 80 mg propranolol (mean -0.87 .+-. 0.13 ml/min per 100 g) and after 80 mg oxprenolol (-0.30 .+-. 0.12) but not after placebo. This reduction was significantly greater after propranolol (P = 0.022). Seven patients continued into a double-blind crossover study comparing the above dose of the 2 drugs twice a day. On both the .beta.-adrenoceptor blockers there was a significant reduction in blood pressure after 2 wk of treatment and a significant reduction in RFBF. After 6 wk treatment with propranolol the reduction in RFBF persisted and was significantly less (P = 0.04) than after 6 wk treatment of oxprenolol, at which time RFBF was back to control. There were no consistent changes in skin temperature. Neither propranolol nor oxprenolol should be should be used in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease. If .beta.-adenoceptor blockade is necessary in patients with mild peripheral vascular disease, oxprenolol should be used in preference to propranolol but should be prescribed with caution.