Effect of Carvedilol on Venous Return: A Mechanism of Reduction in Blood Pressure

Abstract

We studied the effect of carvedilol, a β-blocker with a potent α-blocking activity, on venous return in anesthetized dogs. Though 3μg/kg of carvedilol caused a slight increase in blood pressure and total peripheral resistance, these changes disappeared by further doses of the agent. On the other hand, each dose of carvedilol (3-100 μg/kg) decreased venous return significantly and dose-dependently. These results indicate that the hypotensive effect of carvedilol mainly depends on the decrease in venous return rather than arterial vasodilation.