[Hemodynamics in patients suffering from hyperkinetic cardiac syndromes and in normal persons under psychological stress before and after treatment with propranolol (author's transl)]

Abstract

In patients with hyperkinetic heart syndrome we found at rest a higher heart rate, a higher stroke volume and a higher cardiac output than in normal volunteers. Therefore blood pressure is high although peripheral resistance is lower than in normals. Similar circulatory differences were found under conditions of mental stress. After beta-adrenergic blockade with 15 mg Propranolol heart rate and cardiac output decrease, whereas peripheral resistance increases. Mean blood pressure thus remains unchanged. Even after beta-adrenergic blockade circulatory differences between normals and patients with hyperkinetic heart syndrome are seen. The possible causes of these differences are discussed.