In rabbits, landiolol, a new ultra-short-acting β-blocker, exerts a more potent negative chronotropic effect and less effect on blood pressure than esmolol

To compare the cardiovascular and sympathetic effects of a new ultra-short-acting, highly cardioselective beta- blocker, landiolol, with esmolol, using an in vivo rabbit model. Different bolus doses of landiolol (0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 mg*kg(-1)) or esmolol (0.5, 1.5 and 5.0 mg*kg(-1)) were given intravenously, and the effects on heart rate (HR) mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were compared. Both landiolol and esmolol produced a dose-dependent decrease in HR. The maximum percent reductions of HR were similar with landiolol 3 mg*kg(-1) and esmolol 5 mg*kg(-1) (-14.0 +/- 0.9% and -13.9 +/- 1.4%, mean +/- SE, respectively). HR decreased more rapidly with landiolol than with esmolol. Esmolol produced a dose-dependent decrease in MAP that was not observed with landiolol. The percent maximum reduction of MAP was -38.2 +/- 3.2% with esmolol 5 mg*kg(-1). RSNA increased in a dose-dependent fashion with esmolol, but no changes were noted with landiolol. These results suggest that, in rabbits, landiolol has slightly more potent negative chronotropic action than esmolol with significantly less effects on blood pressure.