Acute and chronic effects of the beta-receptor blocker mepindolol on hemodynamics and the portal circulation.

After administration of mepindolol, a reduction of the portal pressure was demonstrated in an acute study in six patients with varying degrees of cirrhosis of the liver and in a chronic study in 5 patients. The reduction of the portal pressure did not correlate very closely with the decrease in the cardiac output. It is therefore assumed that a beta 2-receptor effect with dilatation of the splanchnic vessels is the main mechanism. However, further studies are required to clarify the situation unequivocally. The properties of mepindolol (intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, slight negatively inotropic effect, non-selective action, primarily renal elimination) appear to be advantageous in this respect.