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michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan

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and nominally statistically significant higher risks <strong>of</strong> stroke, angina, and coronary revascularization. The<br />

ALLHAT findings prompted termination <strong>of</strong> the doxazosin arm <strong>of</strong> the trial 2 years earlier than scheduled<br />

and has led national guideline writers and other authorities to recommend that the alpha blockers not<br />

be used as primary monotherapy for the treatment <strong>of</strong> <strong>hypertension</strong>. 10 Nonetheless, they remain useful<br />

when combined with other agents to accomplish satisfactory BP control and they are especially useful<br />

in older men with benign prostate hyperplasia in whom they are effective in reducing lower urinary<br />

tract symptoms. Additionally, the non-selective alpha-antagonists, including phenoxybenzamine and<br />

phentolamine, remain useful in hypertensive emergencies caused by pheochromocytoma. Used in<br />

conjunction with beta-blockade to blunt reflex tachycardia these medications help to control BP until the<br />

tumor can be surgically removed.<br />

Pharmacology/Mechanism <strong>of</strong> Action:<br />

The alpha blockers block noradrenaline-mediated vasoconstriction by binding to alpha-<br />

adrenoceptors located on the vascular smooth muscle. They operate as competitive antagonists to the<br />

binding <strong>of</strong> norepinephrine that is released by sympathetic nerves synapsing on smooth muscle. Alpha<br />

blockers are competitive antagonists with the exception <strong>of</strong> phenoxybenzamine, an irreversible, non-<br />

competitive antagonist at the receptor.<br />

Vascular smooth muscle has two primary types <strong>of</strong> alpha-adrenoceptors: alpha1 (α1) and alpha2<br />

(α2). In contrast, only α2-adrenoceptors are found on the sympathetic nerve terminals. Smooth muscle<br />

α1 and α2-adrenoceptors are linked to a g-protein, which activates smooth muscle contraction through<br />

the IP3 signal transduction pathway. Prejunctional α2-adrenoceptors located on the sympathetic nerve<br />

terminals serve as a negative feedback mechanism for norepinephrine release.<br />

Toxicity/Side Effects:<br />

The most common side effects are related directly to alpha-adrenoceptor blockade and include<br />

dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, nasal congestion headache, fluid retention and reflex tachycardia<br />

(especially with non-selective alpha-blockers due to blockade <strong>of</strong> α2-prejunctional adrenoceptors which<br />

enhances release <strong>of</strong> norepinephrine).<br />

198 Hypertension Core Curriculum

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