Nebivolol as a beta-blocker with vasodilating properties: achievements and prospects

Abstract

A literature review deals with the clinical use of nebivol as a beta-blocker (BB) with vasodilating properties. The principal pharmacological properties and characteristics of the drug, its cardioselectivity and mechanisms of vasodilation are presented. The special place of nebivolol in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension (AH), coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF) is outlined. The drug does not possess a diabetogenic activity with a long-term use, and impacts favourably on the parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In CHD patients, nebivolol demonstrates the antianginal and antiischemic activities, and reduces the frequency of angina recurrence after coronary artery interventions. The drug is well tolerated and characterized by a high effectiveness with respect to the reduction of mortality rates in patients with chronic HF over 70 years of age, regardless of the left ventricular ejection fraction. Vasodilating BB are preferred in the treatment of CHD patients with type 2 diabetes. In case of non-obstructive coronary lesions, nebivolol is chosen among existing BBs for the treatment of microvascular angina. The use of nebivolol in AH patients, in addition to the antihypertensive effect, is characterized by a favorable impact on the function of endothelium, the metabolic profile, central hemodynamics, health-related quality of life of patients, as well as more favorable profile of side effects