Respiratory effects of labetalol in anginous or hypertensive patients

The respiratory effects of the oral administration of labetalol have been assessed in twenty-three patients with light respiratory impairment. Twelve of the patients were hypertensive (II WHO classification) (EH) and eleven affected by stable effort-induced angina (CAD). The drug induced a significant decrease in either systolic and diastolic blood pressures in EH patients and a significant improvement in effort tolerance in humans with coronary artery disease (CAD). Respiratory function did not worsen after treatment; on the contrary, the airways flow resistance parameters examined showed significant improvement. The findings seem to indicate a dissociation between the alpha- and beta-blocking effects of labetalol on bronchial smooth muscle and the opportunity to use the drug also in the treatment of patients with angina or hypertension affected by respiratory impairment.