The effect of sotalol on plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins

Abstract

Plasma lipoproteins were estimated in ten hypertensive subjects (mean age 51 ± 11.2 yr), before, 6 wk and 6 mth following treatment with Sotalol 320 mg/day. Heart rate fell sequentially throughout the study ( P < 0.01) and although there was a sequential fall in mean blood pressure this did not reach statistical significance. There was a significant increase in plasma triglyceride concentration from a basal value of 1.87 ± 1.064 to 2.50 ± 0.877 mmol/1 ( P < 0.005) at 6 mth. No significant change was found in very low density, low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol or apolipoprotein concentrations (Apo A-I, Apo A-II, Apo B). We conclude that Sotalol exerts a similar influence on plasma lipoproteins as other non-cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and its use does not constitute an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, when compared with other β-blockers.