Haemodynamic effects of the optical isomers of beta-receptor blocking agents

Abstract

All beta-adrenergic blocking agents possess an asymmetric carbon atom in the side chain. Therefore there are two optical isomers. Pharmacological studies have clearly shown that the beta-adrenergic blocking action is almost exclusively due to the levorotatory isomer. Both, the levorotatory and the dextrorotatory isomer of some beta receptor blocking agents possess membrane stabilizing activity. Studies in patients with hypertension and in patients with coronary artery disease revealed that the beneficial effect of adrenergic beta receptor blocking drugs in these disease states is due to their beta adrenergic activity and not to the membrane stabilizing action.