Beta Blockers

• Beta Blockers:

  • examples of these drugs include bisoprolol, atenolol, sotalol, nadolol, metoprolol etc
  • These drugs work to the exact opposite effect of inotropes
  • They directly block some of the sympathetic receptors on pacemaker cells and on the sarcolemma receptors of ventricular cardiomyocytes
  • In this way beta blockers limit sympathetic activation
• Beta Blockers:

  • At the Sino-atrial node their effect is to lower heart rate, and at the level of ventricular fibres the beta blockers effect limits calcium induced calcium release and therefore force production and stroke volume
  • The extent of sympathetic suppression depends on the dose of the BB given