Abstract
History of beta-blocking agents can be traced back to the isolation of adrenaline and the clarification of sympathetic nerve activities. The first beta-stimulant, isoproterenol, was synthesized in 1948, while the antagonist, propranolol, was synthesized in 1962. The progresses in molecular pharmacology facilitated the synthesis of more subtype-specific beta-blockers. Currently, short and ultra-short acting agents are commonly used for the management of fluctuating heart function, such as paradoxical tachycardia and ischemic heart failure.
