Influences of nonselective, β1-selective and vasodilatory β1-selective β-blockers on arterial pulse wave velocity in normotensive subjects

β-Adrenoceptor blockers with disparate properties may have differential influences on arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV). Therefore, influences of single medium doses of bisoprolol, propranolol and celiprolol on PWV were compared in healthy subjects. Arterial PWV was obtained from the time delay between flow pulses measured from the root of the aorta and the popliteal artery. Bisoprolol and propranolol decreased arterial PWV more than placebo (P≤.002) and celiprolol (P<.0001). In conclusion, the acute effects of bisoprolol and propranolol on arterial PWV in normotensive subjects seem to differ from that of celiprolol.