Vasodilators in hypertension--a review with special emphasis on the combined use of vasodilators and beta-adrenoceptor blockers.

This paper presents a review of studies dealing with combined beta-adrenoceptor blockade and vasodilatation in the treatment of hypertension. This therapy can be achieved either through the combined use of conventional beta-adrenoceptor blocking compounds given together with vasodilator drugs or with agents which show multiple action of this kind. From a hemodynamic point of view this therapeutic approach is quite logical since most forms of established hypertension are characterized by increased vascular resistance. It can therefore be concluded that combined beta-adrenoceptor blockade and vasodilation offers a rational and useful treatment of hypertension.