Reduction of Blood Flow Following Ischemia in Arteriopathic Patients: Reversion of the Phenomenon Induced By Propranolol

Abstract

In most arteriopathic patients, the release of a transitory ischemia in the affected limb reduces blood flow, instead of increasing it as in normal subjects. In this study the effects of propranolol administration on this paradoxical response have been investigated. After rheographic tracings were recorded in 14 arteriopathic patients in the basal condition and in the postischemic period, 10 mg of propranolol was administered IV and the protocol was then repeated. The blood flow in the affected area, measured as Jantsch's index of the rheographic tracings, was 0.63 ± 0.04 in the basal condition and was reduced to 0.51 ± 0.05 (P < 0.001) in the postischemic period. When the ischemia was repeated after propranolol administration, Jantsch's index rose from 0.57 ± 0.04 to 0.85 ± 0.09 (P < 0.01). The reversion of the paradoxical response to the ischemia induced by pro pranolol administration suggests that the beta-adrenergic blockade can increase blood flow to the ischemic area, probably through a constrictive action on arterovenous connections.

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