Determination of the sensitivity of beta adrenergic receptors in patients with myocardial infarction

: The effect of propranolol on hypotonic erythrocyte hemolysis was investigated in normal subjects and coronary patients. In the latter, erythrocytes were shown to have much smaller osmotic stability as compared to the former. Propranolol's in vitro antihemolyzing effect is more pronounced in patients with acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris as compared to normal subjects. antihemolyzing effect of propranolol is reduced if it is preceded by the administration of beta-adrenoblockers in myocardial infarction. It is suggested that propranolol's antihemolyzing effect be used for the assessment of beta-adrenoreceptor function.