Circulatory and metabolic effects of acute beta 1-blockade in severe pre-eclampsia

Five mg of a beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist (atenolol) was given i.v. to 5 women with severe pre-eclampsia in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. There was a significant decrease of both mean systolic blood pressure, from 171 to 155 mm Hg, and mean diastolic blood pressure, from 116 to 107 mm Hg. The mean maternal heart rate decreased significantly from 90 to 74 and mean fetal heart rate significantly from 145 to 138 beats per min. There were no significant changes in the plasma levels of cyclic AMP, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, 3-hydroxy-butyrate or glycerol.