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Peripheral vasoconstriction induced by β‐adrenoceptor blockers: a systematic review and a network meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Khouri Charles,
Jouve Thomas,
Blaise Sophie,
Carpentier Patrick,
Cracowski JeanLuc,
Roustit Matthieu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1111/bcp.12980
Subject(s) - vasoconstriction , medicine , oxprenolol , atenolol , placebo , pindolol , propranolol , cardiology , pharmacology , blood pressure , alternative medicine , pathology
Aim Peripheral vasoconstriction has long been described as a vascular adverse effect of β‐adrenoceptor blockers. Whether β‐adrenoceptor blockers should be avoided in patients with peripheral vascular disease depends on pharmacological properties (e.g. preferential binding to β 1 ‐adrenoreceptors or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity). However, this has not been confirmed in experimental studies. We performed a network meta‐analysis in order to assess the comparative risk of peripheral vasoconstriction of different β‐adrenoceptor blockers. Method We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including β‐adrenoceptor blockers that were published in core clinical journals in the Pubmed database. All RCTs reporting peripheral vasoconstriction as an adverse effect of β‐adrenoceptor blockers and controls were included. Sensitivity analyses were conducted including possibly confounding covariates (latitude, properties of the β‐adrenoceptor blockers, e.g. intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, vasodilation, drug indication, drug doses). The protocol and the detailed search strategy are available online (PROSPERO registry CRD42014014374). Results Among 2238 records screened, 38 studies including 57 026 patients were selected. Overall, peripheral vasoconstriction was reported in 7% of patients with β‐adrenoceptor blockers and 4.6% in the control groups ( P < 0.001), with heterogeneity among drugs. Atenolol and propranolol had a significantly higher risk than placebo, whereas pindolol, acebutolol and oxprenolol had not. Conclusion Our results suggest that β‐adrenoceptor blockers have variable propensity to enhance peripheral vasoconstriction and that it is not related to preferential binding to β 1 ‐adrenoceptors. These findings challenge FDA and European recommendations regarding precautions and contra‐indications of use of β‐adrenoceptor blockers and suggest that β‐adrenoceptor blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity could be safely used in patients with peripheral vascular disease.