Pharmacologic Effects of Nonvasodilating Beta-Adrenergic Blockers on the Pathomechanisms of Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
This drug class modulates the sympathetic tone leading to the following effects: 1) decrease in heart rate that causes prolongation of the diastolic phase, ultimately mitigating the obstructive effects on the LVOT; and 2) decrease in inotropy causing a decrease in myocardial oxygen demand and LVOT obstruction, both ultimately leading to the decrease of patient-felt symptoms. LVOT = left ventricular outflow tract.