Beta-blockade and mechanisms of disease.

In this review an attempt has been made to define the contribution of beta-antagonists to out understanding of the mechanisms of disease. It is concluded that beta-antagonists, and propranolol in particular, have clarified mechanisms in angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmias and some aspects of essential hypertension as well as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. The study of beta-antagonists in anxiety states shows that they can help to define the somatic component but give no clue as to central mechanisms involved. There is no substantial evidence that beta-antogonists are of value in the psychoses and these negative findings suggest that disturbances of brain catecholamines contribute little to the pathogenesis of these conditions.